The Denver Nuggets are gearing up to face the Washington Wizards tonight at Ball Arena, following an interesting trade that sent C.J. McCollum and Corey Kispert to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Trae Young. Unfortunately for the Wizards, Young will not be playing due to injury, leaving the team in a precarious position. Meanwhile, the Nuggets themselves are grappling with injuries, as key players, including Nikola Jokic and Christian Braun, are sidelined. Despite the Wizards’ record of 10-30 and the Nuggets’ strong 28-13 performance this season, this game is shaping up to be more challenging than it might appear at first glance.
The matchup starts at 7 PM MST and will be broadcast on Altitude TV and Altitude Radio 92.5FM. The Nuggets are looking to overcome their recent setbacks while recalling their previous struggles against the Wizards, who managed to sweep Denver during the last regular season—a surprising statistic that could serve as a cautionary reminder for the Nuggets.
Position-wise, the Nuggets will field Jamal Murray at point guard against the Wizards’ Bub Carrington, and feature Jalen Pickett against Tre Johnson. Notably, the Nuggets are expected to have the advantage across most positions, particularly with Aaron Gordon and Peyton Watson. However, the Wizards certainly have talents, including Alex Sarr, who at 7 feet tall has been performing impressively with averages of 17 points and 7.5 rebounds. His presence in the painting could pose challenges for a shortened Denver squad.
When it comes to injuries, the Nuggets are closely monitoring players like Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, and Bruce Brown, all of whom are listed as probable. On the other hand, the Wizards’ injury report is still pending at the time of writing but includes notable absences along with Trae Young, which challenges their competitiveness.
The Nuggets have a chance to solidify their position in the standings ahead of a crucial stretch in the season. A win against a struggling Wizards team could also serve as a morale booster, allowing Denver to refocus and prepare for tougher opponents ahead. With the stakes high, and the memory of last season still fresh, the Nuggets have the opportunity to capitalize on tonight’s game while also maintaining caution against an underestimated Wizards team.