The Denver Nuggets (14-5), clinging to fourth place in a brutal Western Conference while snapping a three-game home skid, host the injury-riddled Dallas Mavericks (6-15) on Monday night at Ball Arena. This season-series opener revives a rivalry marked by playoff heartbreak for Dallas, pitting Nikola Jokić’s triple-double mastery against a Mavericks squad leaning on rookie sensation Cooper Flagg and veteran Anthony Davis amid a brutal injury wave. Denver’s league-leading offense (124.8 PPG) faces a Dallas defense that’s held firm in spots (15th in points allowed at 115.9), but the Mavs’ backcourt decimation could turn this into a Nuggets rout. With Denver eyeing a bounce-back after dropping to San Antonio, and Dallas chasing consecutive wins for the first time, expect Jokić to feast in the paint. Tip-off is at 9:00 p.m. ET, broadcast on FanDuel Sports Network Rocky Mountain (FDSRM) and FanDuel Sports Network Southwest (FDSSW).
Venue Location
Arena: Ball Arena
Address: 1000 Chopper Circle, Denver, CO 80204
Capacity: 17,662 for basketball
Notable Features: Home to the Nuggets since 1999 (rebranded from Pepsi Center in 2020), this LoDo landmark offers altitude-fueled intensity, with Denver’s 6-3 home record amplifying the thin-air edge (opponents shoot 3% worse from 3 in Denver). Premium perks include the Lexus Lounge, but visiting teams often cite the 5,280-foot elevation as a fatigue factor. Ample parking in the adjacent lot ($25+); light rail via Union Station is ideal for avoiding rush-hour snarls on I-25.
Tipoff: 9:00 p.m. ET (7:00 p.m. MT / 6:00 p.m. PT)
Duration: Standard NBA game (48 minutes), plus potential overtime; roughly 2.5 hours with halftime and media timeouts.
Injury Report
Dallas’ injury crisis—eight players listed—has gutted their depth, while Denver’s frontcourt thins without Gordon. Latest as of game day (check NBA.com for updates):
Dallas Mavericks:
| Player | Position | Injury | Status | Expected Return |
| Kyrie Irving | PG | ACL tear | Out | January 2026 |
| Dante Exum | PG | Knee (surgery) | Out | Season-ending |
| Dereck Lively II | C | Right foot sprain | Out | 7-10 days (re-eval mid-December) |
| Daniel Gafford | C | Undisclosed | Doubtful | Game-time decision |
| P.J. Washington | PF | Undisclosed | Questionable | Game-time decision |
| Brandon Williams | PG | Left adductor strain | Questionable | Game-time decision |
| Anthony Davis | PF | Left calf (injury management) | Probable | Available (load management) |
| Cooper Flagg | SF | N/A (recent historic 35 PTS) | Available | N/A |
Impact: Irving and Exum’s absences cripple playmaking (DAL 28th in APG at 23.4), forcing Davis (24.1 PPG pre-injury) and Flagg (16.7 PPG rookie avg.) into heavy lifts. Lively/Gafford out weakens the paint (24th in rebounding at 44.8 RPG), where Denver exploits (9th in ORPG at 12.1).
Denver Nuggets:
| Player | Position | Injury | Status | Expected Return |
| Aaron Gordon | PF | Right hamstring strain | Out | 4-6 weeks (January) |
| Christian Braun | SG | Left ankle sprain | Out | 6 weeks (January 2026) |
| Julian Strawther | SG | Lower back (injury management) | Out | Re-evaluation in 1 week |
| Nikola Jokić | C | Left wrist sprain | Probable | Available (limited minutes?) |
Impact: Gordon’s void (13.2 PPG, 6.5 RPG) strains Denver’s versatility (12th in opponent paint points at 48.1), but Jokić’s availability (29.4 PPG, 12.4 RPG, 10.4 APG) preserves their core. Braun/Strawther out thins the wing, dropping 3PT makes to 13.4 (15th).
Player Matchups
Denver’s altitude and spacing (3rd in 3PT% at 39.2%) could overwhelm Dallas’ depleted guards, but Flagg’s athleticism tests the Nuggets’ interior. Key battles:
PG: Spencer Dinwiddie (DAL) vs. Jamal Murray (DEN)
Dinwiddie (6’5″, 14.8 PPG, stepping up sans Irving) vs. Murray (6’4″, 22.3 PPG, 3.0 3PM). Murray’s mid-range exploits DAL’s 29th-ranked perimeter D (opponents 32.7% 3PT allowed); Dinwiddie’s vision (5.2 APG) tests DEN’s traps. Edge: Nuggets.
SG: Klay Thompson (DAL) vs. Russell Westbrook (DEN)
Thompson (6’6″, 18.2 PPG, 2.7 3PM) vs. Westbrook (6’3″, 12.1 PPG, 7.8 APG). Thompson’s shooting stretches DEN’s drops (15th in opponent 3s at 12.6), but Westbrook’s chaos (1.8 SPG) forces DAL’s 15.2 TOs (22nd). Edge: Mavericks.
SF: Cooper Flagg (DAL) vs. Michael Porter Jr. (DEN)
Flagg (6’9″, 16.7 PPG, limitless upside) vs. Porter (6’10”, 17.5 PPG, 42% 3PT). Flagg’s defense (1.4 SPG) challenges Porter’s isos, but DEN’s spacing pulls him out (Flagg 45% FG). Historic debut: Flagg youngest to 35 PTS. Edge: Even.
PF: Anthony Davis (DAL) vs. Nikola Jokić (DEN)
Davis (6’10”, 25.6 PPG, 11.2 RPG if active) vs. Jokić (6’11”, 29.4 PPG, triple-double machine). Elite bigs clash: Davis’ blocks (2.1 BPG) vs. Jokić’s passes (10.4 APG); DAL allows 48.1 paint PTS (20th). Edge: Nuggets.
C: Moussa Cissé (DAL) vs. Jonas Valančiūnas (DEN, if Jokić limited)
Cissé (rookie, 8.4 PPG, 6.2 RPG) vs. Valančiūnas (6’11”, 10.1 PPG, glass cleaner). Cissé’s length aids boards, but DEN’s 9th-ranked rebounding (45.7 RPG) dominates second chances. Edge: Nuggets.
Bench Impact: Denver’s depth (Westbrook’s spark) outshines DAL’s (Naji Marshall’s 11.2 PPG), in a high-pace tilt (DEN 10th at 101.2 possessions).
Team Records
| Team | Overall Record | Home/Away | Conference | Streak |
| Dallas Mavericks | 6-15 (.286) | 2-7 away | 4-11 West | W1 |
| Denver Nuggets | 14-5 (.737) | 6-3 home | 10-3 West | W1 (after L3 home) |
Mavericks: 14th in West; -5.7 point differential. Struggling offense (110.2 PPG, 28th) but solid D (115.9 allowed, 15th).
Nuggets: 4th in West; +9.7 point differential. Elite scoring (124.8 PPG, 1st) with balanced D (115.1 allowed, 12th).
Recent Team Forms
Dallas Mavericks:
Dallas’ rebuild hit lottery luck with Flagg at No. 1, but injuries (post-Dončić trade to Lakers) have sunk them to 6-15. Recent spark: 114-110 W over Clippers (Nov. 29, Flagg’s record 35 PTS as youngest ever; Davis 28/12). Prior: Snapped three-game skid but losses to Lakers (129-119, Nov. 28) and Heat (112-105, Nov. 24) highlight backcourt woes (32.2% 3PT, 29th). Offense anemic (110.2 PPG), but Flagg/Davis duo flashes (combined 41.8 PPG last 5). Road: 2-7, allowing 118.4 PPG. Pace: 22nd (98.2 possessions); rebounding edge (44.8 RPG, 12th) but poor conversion.
Denver Nuggets:
Post-Malone era under David Adelman, Denver’s hummed (14-5), but a three-game home skid (to CHI, SAC, SAS: 139-136 L Nov. 29) tests resolve. Bounce-back: 130-112 rout of Suns (Nov. 26, 22/38 3s; Hardaway Jr. 23 PTS off bench). Earlier: 7-1 November stretch, Jokić’s heroics (triple-doubles in 6/10). Offense tops NBA (124.8 PPG, 39.2% 3PT), but home D slips (118.2 allowed in losses). Home: 6-3, >120 in 7/9 wins. Pace: 10th (101.2 possessions); elite boards (45.7 RPG, 9th).
Series History
Denver edges this high-altitude rivalry, amplified by 2024 WCF triumph (4-1 over DAL). All-Time Regular Season: Nuggets lead 46-36 (56.1% win rate over 82 games).
Playoffs: Nuggets lead 4-1 (2024 WCF: DEN 4-1).
Last 10 Meetings: Nuggets 7-3, including 2024-25 RS sweep vibes (avg. margin +8.2). Average score: 118.4-112.7 (Overs in 7/10).
In Denver: Nuggets 25-18 all-time; 6-1 since 2020. Trends: 70% of last 10 over 225; DEN 6-3-1 ATS vs. DAL.
Betting Trends:
Key Trends:
Nuggets: 13-4 as ML favorites; 12-7 ATS overall, 5-4 home. Over in 10/19 (52.6%), avg. 239.7 last 10.
Mavericks: 3-14 as dogs; 9-12 ATS, 4-4 road. Over in 8/21 (38.1%); 4-4 ATS as +10.5+ dogs.
Head-to-Head: Nuggets 7-3 SU last 10, 6-3-1 ATS; Over 70%.
Public: 72% on Nuggets ML; sharps on Under (line from 235). Props: Jokić O28.5 PTS (-115, hit 8/10); Flagg O15.5 PTS (+105).
Game Odds
Dallas Mavericks 233
Denver Nuggets – 11
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Sunday, November 30, 2025
