The Washington Wizards head to Denver to face the Nuggets in the first of two meetings this season, with Washington aiming to snap a five-game losing streak amid a rebuilding year. Denver, tied for second in the West, looks to extend its three-game win streak despite missing Nikola Jokic, relying on depth and home dominance (15-6 at Ball Arena). This matchup features Washington’s struggling offense (108.2 PPG, 28th in NBA) against Denver’s balanced attack (116.8 PPG, 8th), but injuries could keep scoring low as the Nuggets adjust without their star center.
Venue Location
Ball Arena, Denver, Colorado.
Tipoff is scheduled for 9:00 p.m. ET (6:00 p.m. PT).
Injury Report
Washington is mostly healthy but missing key contributors, while Denver faces significant absences, including Jokic, forcing reliance on Murray and Gordon (both probable). Reports as of 1:00 p.m. ET; check for updates closer to tip-off.
| Team | Player | Position | Injury | Status |
| Wizards | Bilal Coulibaly | G | Undisclosed | Out |
| Wizards | Cam Whitmore | G/F | Shoulder | Out |
| Wizards | Trae Young | G | Quadriceps | Out |
| Wizards | Khris Middleton | F | Knee | GTD (questionable) |
| Wizards | Tristan Vukcevic | F | Knee | GTD (questionable) |
| Nuggets | Nikola Jokic | C | Left Knee (Bone Bruise) | Out |
| Nuggets | Jonas Valanciunas | C | Right Calf (Strain) | Out |
| Nuggets | Cameron Johnson | F | Right Knee (Bone Bruise) | Out |
| Nuggets | Christian Braun | G | Left Ankle (Sprain) | Out |
| Nuggets | Tamar Bates | G | Left Foot (Surgery) | Out |
| Nuggets | Curtis Jones | G | G League | Out |
| Nuggets | Jamal Murray | G | Left Ankle (Sprain/Illness) | Probable |
| Nuggets | Aaron Gordon | F | Right Hamstring (Strain) | Probable |
| Nuggets | Bruce Brown | G | Right Knee (Inflammation) | Probable |
Player Matchups
Without Jokic, Denver’s offense runs through Murray, testing Washington’s perimeter defense (allowing 38.2% from three, 25th). Wizards’ paint scoring (48.6 PPG, 22nd) faces Denver’s depleted frontcourt.
Jamal Murray (DEN) vs. Jordan Poole (WAS): Murray (probable, averaging 25.8 PPG lately) exploits Poole’s defense; expect Murray to drive playmaking.
Aaron Gordon (DEN) vs. Kyle Kuzma (WAS): Gordon (probable) vs. Kuzma (20.5 PPG); physical forward battle for rebounds (Gordon 8.2 RPG).
Michael Porter Jr. (DEN) vs. Corey Kispert (WAS): Porter’s shooting (38.4% 3PT) tests Kispert; could open lanes without Jokic.
Zeke Nnaji/Peyton Watson (DEN frontcourt) vs. Marvin Bagley III/Alex Sarr (WAS): Denver’s backups vs. Washington’s bigs; rebounding edge to Wizards if Denver tires.
Julian Strawther (DEN) vs. Kyshawn George (WAS): Bench wings could spark scoring in a potentially low-energy game.
Projected lineups: WAS – Poole, George, Kuzma, Bagley III, Sarr; DEN – Murray, Strawther, Porter Jr., Gordon, Nnaji.
Recent Team Forms
Washington is mired in a five-game skid, allowing 125.8 PPG defensively. Denver has won three straight, averaging 116 PPG with strong road wins.
| Team | Last 5 Games (Most Recent First) | Record | Points For/Against |
| Wizards | L 115-128 vs SAC (1/16), L 105-119 @ LAC (1/14), L 93-112 @ PHX (1/11), L 107-128 vs NOP (1/9), L 110-131 @ PHI (1/7) | 0-5 | 530/618 |
| Nuggets | W 118-109 @ DAL (1/14), W 122-116 @ NOP (1/13), W 108-104 vs MIL (1/11), L 113-115 @ BOS (1/7), W 114-110 @ CLE (1/4) | 4-1 | 570/554 |
Series History
Denver holds a strong all-time edge (59-43 regular season), but Washington has won the last two meetings, including a 126-123 road upset in March 2025. Nuggets are 7-3 in the last 10 at home vs. Wizards.This season: First meeting; next on Jan. 22 in Washington. Expect Denver’s perimeter play to challenge Washington’s transition defense (allowing 18.2 fast-break PPG, 24th).
Betting Trends
Moneyline: Implied Nuggets win: 84-86%.
Spread: Nuggets 4-1 ATS in last 5; 9-7-1 as home favorites.
Over/Under: Over in 4 of Nuggets’ last 5; series games average 239 PPG recently.
Trends: Nuggets 14-6 ATS at home vs. sub-.500 teams; Wizards 4-16 ATS on road. Nuggets 7-3 Over in last 10 Saturday games; Wizards 2-8 Under after losses.
Game Odds
Washington Wizards 232.5
Denver Nuggets – 13.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, January 16, 2026
