Nikola Jokić
January 2026
Jokić returned to the starting lineup after missing 16 games with a hyperextended left knee and will be managed with a minutes restriction. Denver went 10-6 without him; his return supports Denver’s push while Gordon is out again with a right hamstring issue and other teammates remain sidelined; Jokić is also tracking the 65-game threshold for major award eligibility.
Aaron Gordon
January 2026
Gordon has a right hamstring strain and will be reevaluated in four to six weeks, removing a key starter from Denver’s rotation. The injury occurred in the win over Milwaukee; he is averaging 17.7 points, 6.2 rebounds and 2.5 assists this season, with Denver sitting third in the West.
Aaron Gordon, Christian Braun
January 2026
Denver will have Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun available again after long injury absences, offering relief during a roster crunch caused by Nikola Jokić and Jonas Valančiūnas injuries. Both return with likely minutes restrictions. Coach David Adelman said both players improved over the last 48 hours and would test in warmups, then were cleared to play. Denver’s frontcourt and rotation have been severely strained after Jokić’s knee injury and Valančiūnas’ calf strain.
Jonas Valančiūnas
January 2026
Jonas Valančiūnas suffered a right calf strain after Denver’s 106-103 win over Toronto and will be re-evaluated in four weeks. The injury worsens Denver’s availability issues with multiple starters already missing. Valančiūnas has been key as Denver’s backup center after arriving in free agency, providing steady minutes and production. With several starters out, his absence further strains rotation stability and frontcourt depth.
Cameron Johnson
December 2025
Denver received encouraging news on forward Cameron Johnson after an MRI showed only a bone bruise in his right knee, with no ligament or structural damage, easing fears of a major setback following his injury during the Nuggets’ narrow 131-130 loss to Dallas. Johnson is expected to miss only a handful of games but joins starters Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun on the injury list, leaving Denver short-handed for their upcoming Christmas matchup with Minnesota as they manage minutes and depth across a demanding festive schedule.
Jamal Murray
December 2025
Jamal Murray sprained his right ankle early in the third quarter against Dallas, briefly returned, then sat the fourth as Denver slumped to a fourth straight home defeat, raising fears of another significant absence for a guard already carrying a heavy scoring and playmaking load. Coach David Adelman admits the team is “hugely” affected when Murray cannot finish games, with scans due on Tuesday and Denver already missing Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun, forcing role players to cover for the loss of Murray’s lethal pick and roll partnership with Nikola Jokic on both ends.
Denver Nuggets
November 2025
Denver forward Aaron Gordon has been ruled out indefinitely with a strained right hamstring and will be re-evaluated in four to six weeks, depriving the Nuggets of another starter after guard Christian Braun recently sprained his ankle and joined the injury list. Coach David Adelman said Gordon is still weighing treatment options, with Denver leaning on Peyton Watson and Spencer Jones in his absence, a significant blow given Gordon’s 18.8 points and 5.9 rebounds per game and his importance alongside Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray.
Christian Braun (Denver Nuggets)
November 2025
Christian Braun (Denver Nuggets) will be sidelined after spraining his left ankle against the Los Angeles Clippers, with the team ruling him out for at least six weeks. The starting guard had been averaging 11.4 points and 4.4 rebounds for the 9-2 defending champions. The 24-year-old recently signed a five-year, 125 million dollar extension after cementing himself as a high-energy starter who defends, rebounds and complements Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon. Denver must now stretch its wing depth while protecting its strong start to the season.
Aaron Gordon (Denver Nuggets)
May 6, 2025 (Game 1, Western Conference Semifinals)
Aaron Gordon hit a game-winning three-pointer with under four seconds left, capping a 14-point comeback as the Nuggets edged the Thunder 121–119 in Game 1 of their playoff series.
Gordon, who transformed his shooting game by training obsessively in a home gym, drained his second game-winner of the postseason. Jokic added 42 points and 22 rebounds, fueling Denver’s late 15–4 run.
Aaron Gordon (Denver Nuggets)
April 2025 (Game 4, Western Conference First Round)
Aaron Gordon delivered the first buzzer-beating, game-winning dunk in playoff history to lift the Nuggets over the Clippers 101-99, tying the series 2-2.
Gordon dunked Nikola Jokic’s last-second airball just before the buzzer, confirmed after a lengthy review; the Nuggets survived a 22-point blown lead to win at Intuit Dome.