Tip-off: 8:00 p.m. ET (7:00 p.m. CT)
Venue: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, Louisiana
TV: Gulf Coast Sports & Entertainment Network (GCSEN) / ALT / KTVD / ALT+ / Pelicans+ / NBA League Pass
This is a quick rematch after Denver’s dramatic overtime comeback win in the Mile High City just four days earlier. The Nuggets look to build on their first victory of the season while the winless Pelicans seek their first breakthrough at home.
Current Rosters
Denver Nuggets: Nikola Jokić, Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, Christian Braun, DeMar DeRozan, Trevon Brazile, Tyus Jones, Marvin Bagley III, and available depth. The core remains potent even with wing absences.
New Orleans Pelicans: Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy III, Dejounte Murray, Herbert Jones, Saddiq Bey, DeAndre Jordan, Jordan Poole (probable), Derik Queen, Bennedict Mathurin, Jeremiah Fears, and supporting pieces.
Probable starters
Nuggets: Jamal Murray, Christian Braun, Aaron Gordon, (available forward), Nikola Jokić.
Pelicans: Dejounte Murray / Jordan Poole, Trey Murphy III, Zion Williamson, Herbert Jones or Saddiq Bey, DeAndre Jordan / Derik Queen.
Injury Reports
Nuggets:
Out: Alpha Diallo (personal reasons), Spencer Jones (bilateral hamstring injury management), Julian Strawther (left knee sprain — multi-week absence).
Doubtful/Day-to-Day: Cameron Johnson (right ankle sprain).
Pelicans:
Out: Yves Missi (left knee contusion/bone bruise).
Probable: Jordan Poole (illness).
Limited two-way players listed as doubtful/probable (Malik Dia, Jaron Pierre Jr., Julian Reese). Core rotation otherwise available.
Recent Team Forms
Nuggets (1-2): Opened with losses before a thrilling 141-135 overtime home win over these same Pelicans on Oct. 24. Jokić posted a triple-double (35 points, 15 rebounds, 10 assists) and Murray exploded for 42 points in the comeback from a 23-point deficit. Depth has been tested by injuries, but the star duo remains elite.
Pelicans (0-3): Still searching for their first win after close or competitive losses, including the OT defeat in Denver (led by Trey Murphy III’s 26 points and solid contributions from Dejounte Murray and Zion Williamson). Offense has shown flashes (high scoring in the Denver game), but closing ability and consistency have been issues.
Denver holds the psychological edge from the recent rally; New Orleans returns home desperate to end the skid.
Key Player vs. Player Matchups
Nikola Jokić vs. DeAndre Jordan / Derik Queen / Pelicans frontcourt: Jokić’s all-around dominance (scoring, rebounding, playmaking) against New Orleans’ size and physicality. Paint control and triple-double threats loom large.
Jamal Murray vs. Dejounte Murray / Trey Murphy III: Scoring and creation battles on the perimeter. Murray’s shooting volume vs. New Orleans’ defensive length.
Aaron Gordon / Christian Braun vs. Zion Williamson / Herbert Jones: Athletic two-way play, transition, and interior finishing. Williamson’s explosiveness against Denver’s versatile defenders.
Supporting: DeMar DeRozan and bench scorers vs. Pelicans’ secondary options (Bey, Mathurin, Poole).
Jokić’s gravity creates advantages throughout; New Orleans will rely on Zion’s interior pressure and Murphy’s shooting.
Series History
Denver has dominated recent meetings, including the Oct. 24 OT win. The Nuggets hold the historical edge in the all-time series, with New Orleans struggling in the matchup over the past several seasons (multiple-game losing streaks noted).
Betting Trends
High-scoring rematches are common given both teams’ recent output (276 combined points in the last meeting). Denver has shown resilience in comebacks; New Orleans has covered in competitive losses but remains winless. Early-season totals have trended high when these offenses engage.
Denver’s star power and recent success against this opponent make them clear favorites despite the road trip and missing pieces. New Orleans has the talent to keep it competitive at home, especially if Zion and Murphy get going early, but sustaining that against Jokić’s orchestration will be difficult. Expect another high-scoring, physical contest with Denver likely pulling away or holding serve in the second half.
Game Odds
Denver Nuggets – 4.5
New Orleans Pelicans 241
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Tuesday, October 27, 2026
