Denver Nuggets News

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Nikola Jokić • C • Nuggets

Nikola Jokic Finishes Strong Despite Series Exit

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic finished with 28 points, nine rebounds, 10 assists, and one block in 43 minutes during Thursday's Game 6 loss to Minnesota, ending Denver's season. He remained efficient from the field and orchestrated the offense, narrowly missing another triple-double. Jokic closes the year with elite all-around production, reinforcing his case as a top fantasy pick again next season. Jamal Murray struggled with 12 points on 17 shots, while Cameron Johnson added 27 points, highlighting the inconsistent support around Jokic.

May 1

Aaron Gordon • PF • Nuggets

Aaron Gordon Remains Sidelined Thursday

Denver Nuggets forward/center Aaron Gordon (calf) will miss a second consecutive game on Thursday against the Minnesota Timberwolves, ESPN's Anthony Slater reports. He was listed as questionable on the initial injury report due to left calf tightness. With Gordon remaining on the shelf, Spencer Jones is likely to get the starting nod again. The 24-year-old sophomore had one of the best performances of his young career in Game 5, totaling 20 points, three rebounds, one assist, three blocks, and three steals. He has a lot to live up to on Thursday night, but Jones' task will be made easier by the fact that he will face a short-handed Timberwolves team.

Apr 30

Peyton Watson • SF • Nuggets

Peyton Watson to Remain Out Thursday

Denver Nuggets forward Peyton Watson (hamstring) will remain out on Thursday in Game 6 against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The 23-year-old suffered a right hamstring strain on April 1. There have been no updates on Watson, so it's unclear whether he will be able to return if the Nuggets survive the first-round series against Minnesota. Tim Hardaway Jr. and Bruce Brown have seen a lot of action off the bench during Watson's absence. However, Denver relied heavily on its first unit in Monday's elimination game and will likely do the same on Thursday night.

Apr 29

Aaron Gordon • PF • Nuggets

Aaron Gordon Questionable for Game 6

Denver Nuggets forward/center Aaron Gordon (calf) is questionable for Thursday's Western Conference first-round Game 6 against Minnesota after missing multiple games and playing limited minutes in his last appearance. Even if he returns, his workload could be managed in a win-or-go-home setting. Spencer Jones stepped into a larger role in Game 5, producing 20 points with four three-pointers, three rebounds, and three steals in 37 minutes and would remain a strong DFS value if Gordon sits again. Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray should continue handling the bulk of the offense.

Apr 29

Nikola Jokić • C • Nuggets

Nikola Jokic Records Big Triple-Double as Nuggets Stay Alive

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic finished Monday's 125-113 win over the Minnesota Timberwolves with 27 points, 12 rebounds, and 16 assists. He led his team in all categories as the Nuggets extended the first-round series. Jokic has struggled with efficiency this postseason, but the story was different on Monday night. He was 9-for-15 from the field and 8-for-10 at the charity stripe. However, the multi-time MVP still couldn't find his range from deep, going 1-for-4. Defensively, Jokic contributed two blocks. Jokic has posted two triple-doubles in the series, averaging 25.4 points, 14.0 rebounds, 9.4 assists, and 1.2 steals. He will lead the way again when Denver faces another fight for survival in Game 6.

Apr 28

Aaron Gordon • PF • Nuggets

Aaron Gordon Won't Play Monday Night

Denver Nuggets forward/center Aaron Gordon (calf) won't suit up for Monday's Game 5 against the Minnesota Timberwolves. He is not ready to play due to a left calf issue and is sitting out the action after being labeled a game-time decision. Gordon will miss his second game of the series and won't get a chance to return to the lineup this season if Denver doesn't win on Monday. Spencer Jones has previously filled in for Gordon in the starting unit and is likely to get the nod again. The team will also look to get more production from Cameron Johnson, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Bruce Brown.

Apr 27

Nikola Jokić • C • Nuggets

Nikola Jokic Fined $50K for Game 4 Incident

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic has been fined $50,000 for his involvement in an altercation late in Game 4 against the Minnesota Timberwolves, ESPN's Anthony Slater reports. Tensions flared between the teams after Jokic took exception to Jaden McDaniels' uncontested layup in the final seconds, by which time the Timberwolves had already clinched an impressive victory and a 3-1 series lead. No suspensions were handed out, despite several players -- including Aaron Gordon, Jonas Valanciunas, Rudy Gobert, and Bones Hyland -- leaving the bench area. Jokic is averaging 25.0 points, 14.5 rebounds, 7.8 assists, and 1.5 steals in the series. But he hasn't been quite himself and will look to increase his performance level in Monday's must-win Game 5.

Apr 27

Aaron Gordon • PF • Nuggets

Aaron Gordon Uncertain for Monday

Denver Nuggets forward/center Aaron Gordon (calf) is considered questionable for Game 5 against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday. The 30-year-old is dealing with a calf injury and didn't play in Game 3. He returned to the lineup for Game 4, but logged only 23 minutes and sat out most of the fourth quarter. The injury appears to be affecting Gordon's effectiveness, as he has managed only 11.3 points per game in the series, making 40 percent of his field-goal attempts. In Game 4, Spencer Jones started in Gordon's place and is likely to get the nod again if Gordon can't play on Monday. Nevertheless, Jones won't have much DFS appeal due to his limited production.

Apr 26

Nikola Jokić • C • Nuggets

Nikola Jokic Ejected in Game 4 Loss

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic wasn't on the floor during the final buzzer in Saturday's Game 4 against the Minnesota Timberwolves after he was ejected from the contest. The three-time MVP was involved in an altercation after Minnesota's Jaden McDaniels scored an uncontested transition layup with 1.3 seconds left in the fourth quarter. By then, the game was already decided, with Minnesota securing a 3-1 series lead with a big home win. "I don't regret it," Jokic said postgame. "Because he scored after everybody stopped playing." Jokic once again stuffed the stat sheet, but he called his performance in the series "average." He finished with 24 points, 15 rebounds, nine assists, three steals, and one block on Saturday. Minnesota has limited the star big man to below 40 percent efficiency from the field, but Jokic has still averaged 25.0 points per game, along with 14.5 rebounds, 7.8 assists, and 1.5 steals.

Apr 26

Aaron Gordon • PF • Nuggets

Aaron Gordon Active on Saturday

Denver Nuggets forward/center Aaron Gordon (calf) will play on Saturday night against the Minnesota Timberwolves, ESPN's Shams Charania reports. The 12-year veteran is ready to help his team avoid a 3-1 series deficit after missing Game 3 with a calf issue. Gordon's return is set to bump Spencer Jones back into the second unit. His comeback is also bad news for Zeke Nnaji, who could be out of the rotation on Saturday. Before hurting his left calf, Gordon had a decent start to the playoffs, averaging 12.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists.

Apr 25

Peyton Watson • SF • Nuggets

Peyton Watson to Remain Sidelined Saturday

Denver Nuggets forward Peyton Watson (hamstring) will miss a ninth consecutive contest on Saturday against the Minnesota Timberwolves. He is recovering from a left hamstring strain and doesn't have a timeline for his return. With Aaron Gordon (calf) also dealing with health issues again, the Nuggets look vulnerable against Minnesota. Cameron Johnson is in a position to benefit and play a larger role, but he has been quiet in the series so far. Across the first three games, Johnson has posted 10.3 points, 1.0 rebounds, and 1.3 assists in 28.3 minutes.

Apr 24

Aaron Gordon • PF • Nuggets

Aaron Gordon Questionable for Saturday's Game 4

Denver Nuggets forward/center Aaron Gordon (calf) is considered questionable for Saturday's Game 4 against the Minnesota Timberwolves. He didn't play in Game 3 after feeling tightness in his left calf. Denver used Spencer Jones as Gordon's replacement in the starting lineup, but his production was limited to six points, one rebound, and one block in 28 minutes. Zeke Nnaji, who offered an additional frontcourt option in the rotation, did much better off the bench with 10 points, three rebounds, one assist, and one steal. Additionally, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Bruce Brown are in a position to see more minutes without Gordon.

Apr 24

Spencer Jones • PF • Nuggets

Spencer Jones Starting in Game 3

Denver Nuggets guard/forward Spencer Jones will take Aaron Gordon's (calf) spot in the starting lineup on Thursday night against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The 24-year-old will start at least one game as Gordon manages left-calf tightness. A spot in the starting unit typically puts players in a better position to make an impact, but Spencer's effectiveness has not shown up in the box score. In 37 regular-season starts, he averaged 7.6 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.0 steals per game. Cameron Johnson, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Bruce Brown will also help cover for Gordon's absence.

Apr 23

Aaron Gordon • PF • Nuggets

Aaron Gordon Ruled Out Thursday

Denver Nuggets forward/center Aaron Gordon (calf) will miss Thursday's Game 3 against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Gordon was listed as probable on the initial injury report before he was suddenly downgraded to questionable on Thursday afternoon. Now, he has been officially ruled out due to tightness in his left calf. Gordon's workload has increased to 33.0 minutes per game in the postseason, leaving the Nuggets with a significant void in the rotation on Thursday night. With Gordon absent, Cameron Johnson, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Bruce Brown could all assume more important roles.

Apr 23

Peyton Watson • SF • Nuggets

Peyton Watson Remains Out for Game 3

Denver Nuggets forward Peyton Watson (hamstring) is out for Thursday's Western Conference first-round Game 3 against Minnesota, extending his absence to eight straight games. He has yet to appear in this series and remains without a clear return timeline. Watson averaged 14.6 points and 1.5 three-pointers during the regular season, but Denver has adjusted without him. Christian Braun logged 16 points, five assists, and two steals in 35 minutes in Game 2, while Cameron Johnson added 13 points in 28 minutes. Both remain viable DFS options with stable roles.

Apr 22

Aaron Gordon • PF • Nuggets

Aaron Gordon Likely to Play in Game 3

Denver Nuggets forward/center Aaron Gordon (calf) is probable for Thursday's Western Conference first-round Game 3 against Minnesota and is expected to play through left calf tightness. He has averaged 12.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists in 33.0 minutes this series, though he managed just eight points with seven rebounds and four assists across 37 minutes in Game 2. Gordon remains a secondary DFS option tied to peripheral stats, while Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray continue to dominate usage. Bruce Brown would see a slight bump only if Gordon is limited.

Apr 22

Peyton Watson • SF • Nuggets

Peyton Watson Still Sidelined for Game 2

Denver Nuggets forward Peyton Watson (hamstring) is out for Monday's Game 2 against Minnesota, extending his absence to seven straight games due to a right hamstring strain. His continued absence keeps Denver's wing rotation tight, with Bruce Brown and Tim Hardaway Jr. handling steady bench roles. Brown posted eight points, seven rebounds, three assists, and five steals in 21 minutes in Game 1, offering strong DFS value through defensive stats, while Hardaway logged seven points with a three in 24 minutes. Both remain solid value options, while Spencer Jones is more of a risky tournament option.

Apr 19

Aaron Gordon • PF • Nuggets

Aaron Gordon Available for Game 1 Against Timberwolves

Denver Nuggets forward/center Aaron Gordon (hamstring) will be available for Game 1 against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Saturday. He is set to return from a two-game absence after the team removed him from the injury report. Denver and Minnesota met four times during the regular season, but Gordon was in the lineup for only two of the games. He averaged 16.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.0 assists, making 50 percent of his attempts from outside. If Gordon can maintain his efficiency against the Timberwolves in the playoffs, he should easily overcome the consistency issues he faced late in the regular season.

Apr 17

Spencer Jones • PF • Nuggets

Spencer Jones is Questionable for Game 1 on Saturday

Denver Nuggets forward Spencer Jones (hamstring) is listed as questionable ahead of Saturday's game against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Fellow teammate Peyton Watson (hamstring) has already been ruled out for Game 1, but Jones has a chance to play through his injury. The absence of Watson could potentially mean a bigger role for Jones, assuming he's able to play. It's worth noting that Jones hasn't played since late March. When healthy, Jones was averaging 22.1 minutes per game, but the Nuggets might not push him too hard considering he hasn't played in a few weeks. If they both sit out, Cameron Johnson and Aaron Gordon would likely play heavy minutes with Tim Hardaway Jr. possibly seeing more of a role as well.

Apr 17

Peyton Watson • SF • Nuggets

Peyton Watson is Ruled Out for Game 1 on Saturday

Denver Nuggets forward Peyton Watson (hamstring) has been ruled out ahead of Saturday's Game 1 against the Minnesota Timberwolves. Watson missed the final five games of the regular season due to a lingering hamstring issue. He has been limited to non-contact work in practice. With that being said, Watson hasn't made enough progress to get back on the court yet. Cameron Johnson should start with Tim Hardaway Jr. and Bruce Brown seeing expanded roles off the bench. Johnson could be an interesting DFS option without Watson available for at least the first game of this series.

Apr 17

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