The Denver Nuggets and Oklahoma City Thunder enter Monday night’s matchup with several key players listed on the injury report, creating uncertainty ahead of their Western Conference clash at Paycom Center.
Denver lists Jamal Murray as questionable with a left ankle sprain. The 28-year-old guard leads the team in backcourt scoring, averaging 25.5 points and 7.2 assists while shooting 43.1% from three-point range across 59 games.
Murray’s availability is significant because Denver’s offense often runs through the two-man game between him and Nikola Jokic. The Serbian center is producing another elite season with 28.8 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 10.3 assists per game while shooting 57.4% from the field.
The Nuggets will definitely be without forward Peyton Watson, who is out with a right hamstring strain. Watson has started 39 games and averages 14.9 points and 4.9 rebounds while providing length on the wing and defensive versatility.
Denver’s injury list also includes DaRon Holmes II, Curtis Jones, and KJ Simpson, who are unavailable due to G League assignments or two-way roster status.
Oklahoma City’s injury report features multiple rotation players as well. All-Star forward Chet Holmgren is listed as questionable with flu symptoms after appearing in 56 games this season.
Holmgren has been a key piece of the league’s top team, averaging 17.3 points, 9.0 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks while shooting 55.2% from the field.
Veteran guard Alex Caruso is also questionable with a left hip contusion. Caruso averages 6.4 points but provides perimeter defense and ball pressure that often impacts opposing guards.
The Thunder will be without Jalen Williams, who is out with a right hamstring strain. Williams averages 17.5 points, 5.4 assists, and 4.7 rebounds and typically serves as a secondary playmaker alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
Center Isaiah Hartenstein will also miss the game due to a left calf contusion. Hartenstein contributes 10.2 points and 9.2 rebounds per contest and anchors Oklahoma City’s interior defense when healthy.
Additional absences include Branden Carlson with a low back strain and Thomas Sorber, who remains sidelined while recovering from right ACL surgery.
The matchup features two teams near the top of the Western Conference standings. Oklahoma City leads the conference at 50-15 and has won five straight games, including a 104-97 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Saturday.
Denver sits sixth in the West at 39-25 after splitting its last two games, beating the Los Angeles Lakers before falling 142-103 to the New York Knicks.
The Thunder have already won both meetings between the teams this season. Oklahoma City defeated Denver 127-121 in overtime on Feb. 27 after also winning 121-111 on Feb. 1.
