Inter-conference squads meet for the final time this season as the Washington Wizards host the Denver Nuggets at the Capital One Arena.
The Nuggets (29–15, 3rd West) have won seven of 12 games since Nikola Jokic went down with a knee injury, including Saturday’s 121–115 home victory against Washington. Meanwhile, the Wizards (10–32, 14th East) have dropped seven straight and remain tied for the NBA’s fewest wins.
Here’s a look at the Injury Report:
Denver Nuggets
- Out: Nikola Jokic (Knee), Cameron Johnson (Knee), Christian Braun (Ankle), Tamar Bates (Foot)
Washington Wizards
- Out: Trae Young (Knee), Cam Whitmore (Shoulder), Tristan Vukcevic (Hamstring), Bilal Coulibaly (Back)
- Questionable: Marvin Bagley III (Illness), AJ Johnson (Illness)
Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. ET. Denver enters as a 6.5-point road favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook, while Washington sits as a +185 underdog. The game’s total is set at 229.5 points.
Nuggets vs. Wizards Preview
Denver Nuggets Preview
The Nuggets have had to reinvent themselves without superstar center Nikola Jokic, who averaged 29.6 points with an NBA-leading 12.2 rebounds and 11 assists before hyperextending his knee on Dec. 29. And, miraculously, they’ve won seven of 12 games in his absence, keeping their heads above water in the cutthroat Western Conference.
While Denver’s league-leading offense has stalled a bit without its nucleus, the team still owns a top-15 offensive rating over its last dozen games. The Nuggets have committed the NBA’s fewest turnovers during that span, generating plenty of open looks and ranking fifth in three-point percentage.
Leading the charge is Jamal Murray. The Joker’s Robin has evolved into the Nightwing, averaging 28.7 points and 8.8 assists per game in the superstar’s absence — and torching the Wizards for 42 points on Saturday. Meanwhile, 23-year-old guard Peyton Watson has amplified his production, averaging over 22 points in his elevated role.
Washington Wizards Preview
The Wizards somehow found a way to pull off the blockbuster of the season and not win a game since. Trae Young remains sidelined with lingering knee and leg injuries and won’t be re-evaluated until after the All-Star break. In the meantime, the team continues to plummet without a safety net.
Washington pairs a lifeless offense with an even worse defense, currently sitting dead last in net rating. Making matters worse, the team’s de facto star, CJ McCollum, was shipped to Atlanta for Young — leaving them in complete disarray on both sides of the floor.
Alex Sarr and Kyshawn George have done their best to shoulder the load, but their efforts have yielded comparable results to dragging a piano without wheels. Washington has lost seven straight games since the trade by an average of 14 points.
Nuggets vs. Wizards Pick, Best Bet
While Denver will enter Thursday’s contest far from peak form, it doesn’t take much to beat the Wizards these days. Expect the Nuggets to roll into the nation’s capital and coast to a spread-covering victory.
