The Denver Nuggets will host the Sacramento Kings on Thursday night in a rematch that promises excitement and high stakes. Just under a month ago, the Nuggets were struggling, as demonstrated by a 149-point drubbing at the hands of the Cleveland Cavaliers on December 27. That loss dropped Denver’s record to 16-13.
Denver Nuggets
Recent Performance: Since that setback, Denver has rebounded impressively. They have won three consecutive games and 11 of their last 14, looking more like the team that captured the NBA title in the 2022-23 season.
Key Player:
- Nikola Jokic: Jokic has been a standout, recording four straight triple-doubles to bring his season total to an NBA-leading 19. He continues to lead the team in scoring (30.1 points per game), rebounds (13.2), and assists (9.9), ranking in the top three in the league in each category.
- Jamal Murray: The second-highest scorer on the team, Murray averages 19.8 points per game.
- Michael Porter Jr.: Contributing 18.2 points per game, Porter Jr. provides additional scoring depth.
Health Update: Aaron Gordon’s return from a right calf strain has bolstered the Nuggets. Gordon has been coming off the bench since his return six games ago, after missing 19 games across two stints on injured reserve.
Sacramento Kings
Recent Performance: The Kings will be playing the second game of a back-to-back set, entering Thursday’s matchup with momentum. They pulled away late to secure a 123-117 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night. Sacramento has been on a tear since coach Mike Brown was dismissed in late December, with Doug Christie taking over as interim coach.
Key Players:
- De’Aaron Fox: Fox is leading the team with an average of 25.6 points per game.
- Domantas Sabonis: Sabonis has been dominant, boosting his league-leading rebound average to 14.3 per game with an 18-rebound performance on Wednesday. He also tops the NBA in 3-point shooting percentage at 48.5%.
- DeMar DeRozan: The second-leading scorer for the Kings, DeRozan averages 21.8 points per game and scored 32 against Golden State.
Historical Context:
Sacramento is 10-2 under Christie, including three straight wins heading into this game. One of their recent losses came against the Nuggets on December 16, when Denver rallied from a 10-point deficit in the final four minutes to win 130-129.
Outlook:
Denver aims to continue their winning streak and maintain their stronghold in the Western Conference, while Sacramento seeks to capitalize on their recent success under Christie. This game promises to be a thrilling encounter, with both teams eager to assert their dominance and secure a crucial victory.
