The Denver Nuggets embark on a challenging road trip to face the Cleveland Cavaliers at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse on Friday, January 2, 2026. This marquee NBA matchup is heavily tilted by a severe injury crisis plaguing the visiting team, setting the stage for a potential upset.
Nuggets Grapple With Overwhelming Injury List
The Denver Nuggets arrive in Ohio severely depleted. Their superstar and reigning MVP, Nikola Jokić, is out for left knee injury management. He is joined on the sidelines by key starter Aaron Gordon (right hamstring strain) and rotational players Christian Braun (left ankle sprain) and Cameron Johnson (right knee management). The frontcourt depth is further hit with Jonas Valanciunas (right calf strain) and Tamar Bates (left foot surgery) also unavailable.
While guard Jamal Murray (left ankle sprain) and Julian Strawther (illness) are listed as probable, their potential presence offers little solace. Denver could be missing four regular starters, forcing head coach Michael Malone to rely on simplified schemes and deep bench players against a confident Cavaliers squad.
Cavaliers Near Full Strength for Home Stand
In stark contrast, the Cleveland Cavaliers are close to full health as they enjoy a successful home stretch. Their injury report is significantly shorter. Only Max Strus (left foot surgery) and Larry Nance Jr. (right calf strain) are confirmed out. Chris Livingston is on a G League assignment. The status of Sam Merrill (left ankle sprain) and De’Andre Hunter (illness) is questionable, but the core of the team remains intact.
This availability advantage provides Cleveland with crucial stability. With a record of 19-16 and holding the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference, the Cavs have won three consecutive games at home and will look to exploit Denver's makeshift lineup from the opening tip-off.
Key Matchups and Game Dynamics
All eyes will be on Cleveland's offensive engine, Donovan Mitchell. Averaging 29.7 points per game, he will test a Nuggets defense missing its defensive anchor in Jokić. Similarly, Evan Mobley (18.2 ppg, 9.0 rpg) is poised for a big night against Denver's thin interior.
For the Nuggets, the offensive burden falls squarely on Jamal Murray. The guard, averaging 25.1 points per game, must elevate his shot creation and scoring to keep Denver competitive. His ability to penetrate and facilitate will be the primary source of offense for the short-handed visitors.
How to Watch and Betting Lines
The game tips off at 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time. Local broadcasts are on FDSOH in Cleveland and ALT in Denver. The national stream is available on Amazon Prime Video. Fans can also tune in via Fubo (subject to blackouts) or NBA League Pass for out-of-market access. Radio listeners can follow on Newsradio WTAM 1100.
Reflecting the stark disparity in team health, sportsbooks have installed the Cleveland Cavaliers as heavy 13.5-point favorites. The over/under total for the game is set at 236.5 points, indicating expectations of a high-scoring affair despite Denver's personnel issues.
This game presents a critical test of depth for the Nuggets (23-10, 3rd in West) and a golden opportunity for the Cavaliers to solidify their playoff positioning with a statement win at home.
