The Denver Nuggets will be without Tamar Bates, Aaron Gordon, Jalen Pickett, and Peyton Watson when they face the Golden State Warriors on Sunday at Chase Center. Jamal Murray is listed as questionable with a right hamstring tightness.
Denver has won five of its last ten games, including a 157-103 rout of the Portland Trail Blazers on February 20.
Golden State is facing its own setbacks with Stephen Curry, Seth Curry, and Jimmy Butler all sidelined. Kristaps Porzingis is probable after managing a left Achilles tendon issue, while the team’s two-way G League players, LJ Cryer, Malevy Leons, and Nate Williams, will not suit up.
The Warriors have dropped their last two home games, including a 110-121 loss to the Boston Celtics.
Denver’s offense will rely heavily on Nikola Jokic, who is averaging 28.6 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 10.5 assists per game. Jamal Murray’s status remains uncertain; he has posted 25.6 points and 7.6 assists while playing 35.4 minutes per contest. With Gordon and Watson out, secondary scoring will likely fall to Tim Hardaway Jr. and Cameron Johnson, averaging 14.0 and 11.8 points respectively.
The Warriors will lean on Brandin Podziemski, Moses Moody, and Draymond Green to compensate for the Curry and Butler absences. Podziemski has averaged 12 points with 3.6 assists, while Green contributes 8.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game. Porzingis, if available, will be a key factor inside with his 12 points and 1 rebound in his Warriors debut this season.
This matchup is the third of four meetings this season. Golden State took the first contest 137-131 in overtime, while Denver responded with a 129-104 win at home in early November.
Both teams will be looking to gain a critical edge in the Western Conference standings, where Denver sits fourth at 36-21 and the Warriors are eighth at 29-27.
