The Atlanta Hawks (18-21) travel to face the Denver Nuggets (25-12) on Friday at 9:00 PM ET at Ball Arena, with both teams navigating major injuries that could shape rotations. Denver enters the game on a two-game winning streak, while Atlanta has a one-game streak after a 117-100 win over New Orleans.
The Nuggets will be without Nikola Jokic (left knee bone bruise), Cameron Johnson (right knee bone bruise), Tamar Bates (left foot surgery), and Jonas Valanciunas (right calf strain). Jamal Murray (left ankle sprain, illness), Aaron Gordon (right hamstring strain), and Bruce Brown (right knee inflammation) are probable, while Spencer Jones is questionable.
Atlanta’s lineup is also impacted, with Trae Young out pending a trade to the Wizards and N’Faly Dante sidelined with a torn ACL. Several two-way players, including RayJ Dennis, Nikola Djurisic, and Caleb Houstan, are listed as doubtful.
Jalen Johnson leads the Hawks with 23.5 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 8.3 assists per game. Nickeil Alexander-Walker contributes 20.4 points per game, while Onyeka Okongwu adds 16.2 points and 7.8 rebounds. Kristaps Porzingis averages 17.1 points in 17 games.
Denver will rely on Murray’s 25.3 points and 7.5 assists, Gordon’s 18.4 points, and Tim Hardaway Jr.’s 13.6 points per game to compensate for Jokic’s absence. Christian Braun, listed as probable, adds 10.2 points per game in limited action.
Both teams have not faced each other this season.
