The Atlanta Hawks face the Denver Nuggets in a cross-conference matchup at Ball Arena, with both teams navigating significant roster changes and injuries. The Hawks, fresh off a trade sending star guard Trae Young to the Washington Wizards for CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert, look to integrate new pieces amid a middling season. Denver, riding a three-game win streak including an upset over Boston, aims to maintain their strong Western Conference standing despite missing Nikola Jokic.
Venue Location
Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado, home of the Denver Nuggets. The indoor venue seats over 19,000 and is known for its high-altitude environment, which can challenge visiting teams’ conditioning.
Tipoff is scheduled for 9:00 p.m. ET (6:00 p.m. PT / 7:00 p.m. MT / 8:00 p.m. CT). The game will be broadcast on Altitude Sports and FDSE.
Injury Report
Both teams are dealing with absences, but Denver’s depth could provide an edge.
Atlanta Hawks
Out: N’Faly Dante (right knee torn ACL; season-ending), Nikola Djurisic (G League assignment), RayJ Dennis (G League two-way), Caleb Houstan (G League two-way), Malik Williams (G League two-way).
Questionable: Onyeka Okongwu (illness).
Day-to-Day: CJ McCollum (right quad contusion; recent trade acquisition), Corey Kispert (left hamstring strain; recent trade acquisition).
The Hawks are without Young following the trade, and McCollum/Kispert’s availability is uncertain. Okongwu’s potential absence thins the frontcourt.
Denver Nuggets
Out: Nikola Jokic (hyperextended left knee; out at least four weeks), Jonas Valanciunas (right calf strain; re-evaluated in four weeks).
Probable: Aaron Gordon (right hamstring strain), Christian Braun (left ankle sprain), Jamal Murray (left ankle sprain/illness), Bruce Brown (right knee sprain).
Day-to-Day: Spencer Jones (left foot soreness/illness), Jalen Pickett (lower leg injury), Tim Hardaway Jr. (illness).
The Nuggets miss Jokic’s production (averaging 28+ PPG pre-injury), forcing reliance on Valanciunas’ backup role players. Probables like Gordon and Braun are key returns.
Key Player Matchups
Without Jokic and Young, this game shifts focus to perimeter play and interior battles.
De’Andre Hunter (ATL) vs. Michael Porter Jr. (DEN): Hunter (18.2 PPG) must step up offensively post-trade. Porter Jr. (22.4 PPG, efficient 3-point shooter) could exploit mismatches with his range.
Dyson Daniels (ATL) vs. Jamal Murray (DEN, if available): Daniels provides defensive versatility. Murray (21.8 PPG) returns from injury and could test Atlanta’s backcourt depth.
Clint Capela (ATL) vs. Zeke Nnaji (DEN): Capela (11.5 RPG) anchors the paint. Nnaji steps in for Jokic/Valanciunas, needing to contain Atlanta’s rebounding.
Jalen Johnson (ATL) vs. Aaron Gordon (DEN, if available): Johnson’s athleticism (16.4 PPG) vs. Gordon’s defense and scoring could be pivotal in transition.
Recent Team Forms
Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks are 4-6 in their last 10, showing inconsistency post-trade rumors. Wins include 117-100 over New Orleans (Jan 7) and 111-99 over New York (Jan 2); losses like 100-118 and 117-134 to Toronto (Jan 5/3). They’ve averaged 114.2 PPG while allowing 120.8, with strong rebounding but turnover issues.
Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets are 7-3 in their last 10, with wins over Boston (114-110, Jan 7), Toronto (106-103, Dec 31), and Cleveland (despite loss, competitive). They’ve averaged 118.5 PPG, holding opponents to 112.4, excelling in assists and blocks amid injuries.
Series History
The Nuggets hold a 50-52 all-time edge over the Hawks in 102 regular-season games. Denver has won the last six meetings, including 134-133 (Dec 5, 2025) and 139-120 (Jan 1, 2025). No playoff history.
Betting Trends
Atlanta: 18-21 ATS overall (46.2% cover rate), 7-14 ATS on the road. The over has hit in 21 of 39 games (53.8%). Hawks are 4-6 ATS in last 10 as underdogs.
Denver: 23-14 ATS overall (62.2%), 14-4 ATS at home. The over has hit in 24 of 37 games (64.9%). Nuggets are 7-3 ATS in last 10, 5-0 ATS as favorites lately.
Head-to-head, Denver is 9-1 SU and 7-3 ATS in the last 10 vs. Atlanta. Games have gone over in 7 of the last 10.
Game Odds
Atlanta Hawks – 1.5
Denver Nuggets 232.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, January 8, 2026
