The Denver Nuggets aim to extend their franchise-record road winning streak when they invade State Farm Arena for a Friday night showdown with the Atlanta Hawks. With Denver’s league-leading offense clicking on all cylinders—fueled by Jamal Murray’s recent explosion and Nikola Jokić’s triple-double mastery—this matchup pits the Nuggets’ altitude-honed efficiency against Atlanta’s assist-heavy attack amid a rash of injuries. The Hawks, clinging to play-in contention in the East, desperately need a signature win to halt their slide, but Denver’s 5-game head-to-head dominance and superior net rating make them heavy favorites. Expect a track meet early, but Denver’s rebounding edge could seal a defensive grind late in this non-conference clash, the second of three meetings this season (Nuggets won the opener 139-120 on Jan. 1).
Venue and Game Details
Location: State Farm Arena, Atlanta, Georgia (home of the Atlanta Hawks; capacity: 18,118). The downtown staple, opened in 1999, has been a house of horrors for road teams lately (Hawks 4-5 home), but its high-energy crowd could spark Atlanta in this primetime spot.
Tipoff: 7:30 p.m. ET (5:30 p.m. MT)
Broadcast: FanDuel SportsNet Southeast (Hawks local), Altitude TV (Nuggets local), NBA TV (national). Streaming on NBA League Pass, Fubo, and YouTube TV.
Both squads are well-rested after Wednesday wins (Denver over Indiana) and losses (Atlanta to the Clippers), setting up a fresh battle with no back-to-back fatigue.
Team Records
| Team | Overall Record | Home/Away Split | Conference Standing | Recent Streak |
| Denver Nuggets | 15-6 (.714) | 6-4 home / 9-2 away | 5th in Western Conference (5.5 GB behind OKC) | W1 (8-game road win streak) |
| Atlanta Hawks | 13-10 (.565) | 4-5 home / 9-5 away | 8th in Eastern Conference (5.0 GB behind CLE) | L2 (7-3 in last 10) |
Denver leads the NBA in scoring (125.1 PPG) and ranks 14th in defense (116.0 allowed), boasting a +9.1 net rating (3rd). Atlanta sits 18th in offense (116.8 PPG) but 12th in defense (115.7 allowed), with a +1.1 net rating (15th) propped up by league-leading assists (30.4 APG).
Recent Team Forms
The Nuggets are surging, winners of four of their last five behind elite ball movement and Jokić’s orchestration. Jamal Murray’s 52-point eruption (19-25 FG, 10-11 3PT) powered a 135-120 rout of Indiana on Dec. 3, where Jokić flirted with a triple-double (29 PTS, 20 REB, 13 AST). Prior: a 131-121 home loss to Dallas on Dec. 1 exposed turnover issues (17), but Denver rebounded with a 123-112 road win over Minnesota on Nov. 29. Over the last 5 games (4-1): W 135-120 at IND, L 121-131 vs. DAL, W 123-112 at MIN, W 130-116 at LAC, W 127-114 vs. NOP. Average: 127.2 PPG scored, 118.6 allowed (+8.6 margin). Road form is lights-out (9-2, 8 straight wins), with 48.5% FG shooting away.
Atlanta’s form has cooled after a hot November, dropping two straight amid injury chaos that sapped their scoring punch. A dismal 92-115 home thud to the Clippers on Dec. 3 highlighted defensive lapses (allowing 53% FG), despite Onyeka Okongwu’s 7 PTS/9 REB. Before: a 99-98 road heartbreaker to Detroit on Dec. 1, where Cade Cunningham’s late surge doomed them. Over the last 5 games (2-3): L 92-115 vs. LAC, L 98-99 at DET, W 142-134 (2OT) at PHI (Nov. 30), W 128-121 vs. BKN (Nov. 28), W 113-105 vs. WAS (Nov. 25). Average: 114.6 PPG scored, 116.6 allowed (-2.0 margin). Home unders hit 5/7 (44.4% over rate), but their assist machine (30.4 APG) thrives in transition.
Injury Report
Injuries are decimating Atlanta’s frontcourt depth, while Denver monitors minor tweaks. Expect pre-tip clarifications, as both lists are fluid.
| Team | Player | Status | Injury/Details | Impact |
| Nuggets | Spencer Jones (F) | Questionable | Knee (day-to-day; limited in practice) | Fringe rotation (2.0 PPG); minimal if out, but tests bench depth. |
| Nuggets | Jamal Murray (G) | Probable | Right ankle sprain (questionable mid-week; cleared for IND game) | Co-star (24.7 PPG); exploded for 52 vs. IND—if limited, Christian Braun’s absence hurts spacing. |
| Nuggets | Aaron Gordon (F) | Out | Right hamstring strain (4-6 weeks; re-eval mid-Dec) | Versatile defender (16.0 PPG); Michael Porter Jr. slides to SF, exposing mismatches. |
| Nuggets | Christian Braun (G) | Out | Left ankle sprain (6 weeks; suffered vs. LAC) | Sixth man spark (11.4 PPG); Julian Strawther steps up off bench. |
| Nuggets | Julian Strawther (G) | Out | Lower back (no timetable; missed last two) | Shooter (9.7 PPG); further thins wing rotation. |
| Hawks | Trae Young (G) | Out | Right knee MCL sprain (since Oct. 29; re-eval Dec. 12) | Franchise PG (17.8 PPG, 7.8 APG in 5 games); Dyson Daniels absorbs playmaking, but scoring dips 10+ PPG without him. |
| Hawks | Jacob Toppin (F) | Out | Right shoulder sprain (two-way contract) | Depth wing (3.4 MPG); negligible, but adds to frontcourt strain. |
| Hawks | Jalen Johnson (F) | Questionable | Calf strain (missed vs. LAC; day-to-day) | Do-it-all leader (23.2 PPG, 10.0 RPG, 7.3 APG); Hawks 4-6 without him, offense craters (105.3 PPG). |
| Hawks | Kristaps Porziņģis (C) | Questionable | Illness (limited practice; missed prior) | Stretch big (10.5 PPG); if out, Onyeka Okongwu logs 35+ MPG (6.3 RPG). |
| Hawks | N’Faly Dante (C) | Questionable | Knee (day-to-day; return-to-comp reconditioning) | Backup rim protector; heavy minutes if Porziņģis sits. |
| Hawks | Nikola Đurišić (SF) | Out | Elbow (rookie; G-League assignment) | Developmental; no rotation impact. |
Key Player Matchups
Denver’s paint dominance tests Atlanta’s depleted interior, while the Hawks’ perimeter creation faces Nuggets’ length. Jokić’s gravity could exploit gaps.
Nikola Jokić (DEN) vs. Onyeka Okongwu (ATL): Jokić’s triple-threat (28.7 PPG, 12.8 RPG, 11.1 APG) vs. Okongwu’s athleticism (10.5 PPG, 6.3 RPG). Jokić owned prior meetings (30+ PTS/10+ AST). Edge: Jokić.
Jamal Murray (DEN) vs. Dyson Daniels (ATL): Murray’s hot hand (24.7 PPG, 41.5% 3PT) vs. Daniels’ defense (1.1 SPG). Daniels fills Young’s void but lacks scoring punch. Edge: Murray post-52-PT game.
Michael Porter Jr. (DEN) vs. Zaccharie Risacher (ATL): Porter’s volume shooting (18.9 PPG, 42.7% 3PT in Dec) vs. Risacher’s rookie length (11.4 PPG). Gordon’s absence elevates Porter. Edge: Porter.
Russell Westbrook (DEN) vs. Nickeil Alexander-Walker (ATL): Westbrook’s energy (12.0 PPG, 7.1 APG in Dec) vs. Alexander-Walker’s scoring (21.5 PPG in Nov). Bench battle for pace control. Edge: Westbrook.
Aaron Jones (DEN) vs. Kobe Bufkin (ATL): Jones’ spot minutes vs. Bufkin’s emergence (18.7 PPG). Youth vs. experience off bench. Edge: Even.
Watch Atlanta’s assists (30.4) vs. Denver’s turnover-forcing D (top-5 opp 3PT%).
Series History
The Nuggets-Hawks matchup lacks Finals lore but features competitive tilts, with Denver surging lately. 101 regular-season games since 1976.
All-Time Regular Season: Hawks lead 52-49 (51.5%). Last 10 RS: Nuggets 6-4.
All-Time Playoffs: None (0-0).
Overall: Hawks 52-49 (51.5%).
Recent: Nuggets won last 5 straight, including 139-120 (Jan. 1, 2025 at DEN), 141-111 (Dec. 8, 2024 at ATL), 142-110 (Apr. 6, 2024 at DEN). Averages: 135.8-110.2 scores (Nuggets +25.6 margin). Overs hit 80% in last 5.
Denver’s road teams win 60% ATS in series; totals lean over (63.9%) when Denver scores 120+.
Betting Trends
Spread: Nuggets 12-9 ATS overall (9-2 road). Hawks 12-11 ATS; 8-4 as underdogs (6-3 non-con). Trend: Road favorites cover 4/5 last in series; away teams 7/10 road ATS.
Moneyline: Nuggets 14-5 as heavy favorites (10-4 at -247 or shorter); Hawks 7-4 as dogs.
Total: Hawks games over (57.1%); Nuggets 10/15 road overs. Last 5 H2H: 80% over.
Trend: Overs in 6/8 Nuggets road; unders 5/7 Hawks home.
Predicted Score: Denver Nuggets 122, Atlanta Hawks 116
Game Odds
Denver Nuggets – 6.5
Atlanta Hawks 238.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, December 4, 2025
