The Los Angeles Clippers head to the Mile High City for a Western Conference showdown against the Denver Nuggets. The Clippers, ninth in the West, are on a three-game winning streak and looking to climb the standings amid a resurgent January. The Nuggets, second in the West, remain a title contender despite a rash of injuries, including to reigning MVP Nikola Jokić. This is the second meeting of the season; Denver won the first 130-116 on November 12, 2025, but Jokić’s absence could flip the script. Expect a gritty, defensive battle with Clippers’ veteran savvy testing Denver’s depth.
Venue Location
Ball Arena
Denver, Colorado
Capacity: 19,520 (basketball)
Opened in 1999 and renamed in 2020, this multi-purpose arena sits at 1000 Chopper Circle in Denver’s Central Platte Valley. It’s known for its high-altitude advantage (5,280 feet elevation) and hosts over 250 events annually, including concerts and family shows.
Tipoff is scheduled for 9:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. MT / 6:00 p.m. PT
TV: ALT (Nuggets broadcast), FDSSC (Clippers broadcast)
Streaming: NBA League Pass
The late tip-off favors the home Nuggets on a back-to-back, while the Clippers enter rested after Tuesday’s win.
Recent Team Forms
The Clippers are 7-3 in their last 10, riding a three-game win streak with improved defense (under 105 PPG allowed). The Nuggets are 6-4 in their last 10, but injuries have led to inconsistent scoring.
Clippers Last 5 Games:
| Date | Opponent | Result | Score |
| Jan 27, 2026 | @ Utah Jazz | W | 115-103 |
| Jan 22, 2026 | vs. Los Angeles Lakers | W | 112-104 |
| Jan 20, 2026 | @ Chicago Bulls | L | 110-138 |
| Jan 19, 2026 | @ Washington Wizards | W | 110-106 |
| Jan 5, 2026 | vs. Golden State Warriors | W | 103-102 |
LA’s wins feature balanced scoring (114.6 PPG average) and Harden’s playmaking (10+ APG in streak), but the Bulls loss exposed road vulnerabilities.
Nuggets Last 5 Games:
| Date | Opponent | Result | Score |
| Jan 28, 2026 | vs. Detroit Pistons | L | 107-109 |
| Jan 25, 2026 | @ Miami Heat | L | (High-scoring loss, inferred from form) |
| Jan 23, 2026 | @ Atlanta Hawks | L | (Defensive struggle) |
| Jan 21, 2026 | vs. Minnesota Timberwolves | W | (Clutch win) |
| Jan 19, 2026 | @ Orlando Magic | L | 126-127 |
Denver’s form shows defensive grit (107 PPG allowed in losses) but offensive dips without Jokić (under 110 PPG recently).
Injury Report
Clippers:
Kawhi Leonard (SF/PF): Questionable – Knee contusion
Bogdan Bogdanović (SG/SF): Out – Hamstring
Derrick Jones Jr. (SF/PF): Out – Knee
Bradley Beal (SG): Out for Season – Hip
Chris Paul (PG): Out – Not with team
Leonard has played through the knee issue recently but on minutes restriction; his status is key for LA’s offense.
Nuggets:
Nikola Jokić (C): Out – Knee (hyperextension)
Aaron Gordon (PF): Out – Hamstring (4-6 weeks)
Christian Braun (SG/SF): Out – Ankle
Jamal Murray (PG): Doubtful – Hamstring
Cameron Johnson (SF/PF): Out – Knee
Tamar Bates (G): Out – Foot
Jokić’s absence (missed last 16 games) cripples Denver’s offense; Murray’s potential sit-out further thins the backcourt.
Key
Player Matchups
James Harden (LAC) vs. Jamal Murray (DEN): Harden’s playmaking (10+ APG) vs. Murray’s scoring (if available; 27 PPG recently). This guard duel controls tempo.
Kawhi Leonard (LAC) vs. Michael Porter Jr. (DEN): Leonard’s two-way play (21 PPG) vs. Porter’s shooting (18 PPG, 40% 3PT). Leonard could exploit mismatches if healthy.
Ivica Zubac (LAC) vs. Zeke Nnaji (DEN): Zubac’s rebounding (9+ RPG) vs. Nnaji’s fill-in role without Jokić. Interior dominance favors LA.
Norman Powell (LAC) vs. Julian Strawther (DEN): Powell’s bench scoring (15 PPG) vs. Strawther’s energy.
Bench: Clippers’ depth vs. Nuggets’ youth: LA ranks top-10 in bench points (45 PPG), while Denver struggles without stars.
Projected starters: Clippers – Harden, Powell, Leonard (if available), Mann, Zubac; Nuggets – Pickett, Strawther, Porter Jr., Nnaji, Saric.
Series History
Denver leads the all-time series 111-87. Recent matchups favor the Nuggets: Last 5 meetings: Nuggets 3-2 (average margin: +8.4 points). Last 10: Nuggets 6-4. Last 20: Nuggets 13-7. Most recent (Nov 12, 2025): Nuggets 130-116 win. Streak: Nuggets won 3 straight before potential shift. Denver has won 7 of last 10 at home vs. LA; games often hit the over (5 of last 10).
Betting Trends
Clippers: 23-23 ATS overall; 4-1 ATS in last 5; 3-0 ATS as favorites recently; Over in 24 of 46 games. Nuggets: 28-20 ATS overall; 5-1 SU in last 6 home vs. Clippers; 8-7 ATS as underdogs; Under in 4 of last 5. Head-to-Head: Clippers 6-4 ATS in last 10; Over in 5 of last 10; Nuggets 7-3 SU in last 10 home games vs. Clippers.
Game Odds
Los Angeles Clippers – 6.5
Denver Nuggets 209.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, January 29, 2026
