A Light at the End of the Tunnel: Nuggets Finally Receive Promising and Much-Needed Injury News
The Denver Nuggets, despite maintaining a strong record atop the Western Conference, have spent the early part of the 2025-2026 season dealing with a frustrating string of injuries to key rotation players. For weeks, the burden has fallen squarely on the shoulders of Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, who have often been forced to carry the load with minimal reliable depth. However, recent updates have finally provided the reigning champions with a promising prognosis, signaling the potential return of vital contributors and a much-needed reprieve for the fatigued core.
The primary source of optimism centers on the imminent return of a key reserve, while the timelines for two crucial starters, though still out, are becoming clearer and approaching the turn of the new year.
I. The Immediate Boost: Julian Strawther’s Return
The most immediate and tangible piece of good news for the Nuggets is the expected return of reserve guard Julian Strawther, who has missed an extended period due to a lingering lower back issue.
A. Ending the Absence
Strawther, who had been dealing with the injury since mid-November, was upgraded to questionable and showed significant progress in recent team practices. Head coach David Adelman expressed hope that Strawther would return to the lineup as soon as the recent crucial matchup against the Houston Rockets, or at least sometime in the week following.
Coach Adelman’s Optimism: “He went hard today. I think the hope is that, tomorrow, he checks in with medical, and maybe they give him the pass to go ahead and play tomorrow night. But, I’m very, very hopeful that this week is the week.”
His return after approximately a month on the sidelines represents a critical injection of depth for a backcourt that has been thin.
B. The Necessary Wing Relief
While Strawther’s role has been inconsistent this season, averaging fewer minutes than last year, his availability is paramount given the injuries to other wing players.
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Shooting Threat: Strawther has the potential to be an important floor-spacer off the bench, providing needed outside shooting to complement the playmaking of Reggie Jackson and the interior gravity of Jokic.
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Depth Insurance: Even a limited return for Strawther allows the coaching staff to reduce the minutes burden on players like Cameron Johnson and Peyton Watson, who have been playing heavy minutes in expanded starting roles. Furthermore, it ensures there is a capable body ready to step in should another minor injury occur.
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Preventing Further Overload: The Nuggets’ overtime victory against the Rockets, which saw the starters play massive minutes, underscored the need for reliable depth. Strawther’s return helps stabilize the second unit, ensuring that the team isn’t forced to rely on two-way players for critical rotational minutes every night.
II. Clearing the Calendar: Starter Return Timelines Emerge
The long-term promise lies in the expected return dates for two starters who form the backbone of the Nuggets’ defensive and two-way identity: Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun. While both remain Out, the communication from the team has established clearer timelines, allowing the coaching staff to prepare for the full-strength rotation.
A. Aaron Gordon: The Hamstring Strain Management
Aaron Gordon has been sidelined since late November with a hamstring strain, an injury the team is managing with extreme caution. The primary news regarding Gordon is the clear expectation that he will not return until after Christmas.
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The Power Forward Void: Gordon’s absence has been deeply felt. He is the team’s primary small-ball power forward, a powerful cutter, and one of the league’s best post defenders. His two-way efficiency—averaging near $19$ points and $6$ rebounds while shooting over $50\%$ from the field—is irreplaceable.
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Peyton Watson’s Accelerated Role: In Gordon’s absence, Peyton Watson was thrust into the starting lineup. While Watson has impressed, putting up solid numbers and providing high-flying defense, the team knows it cannot afford to rush Gordon back. By establishing a post-Christmas return window, the team prioritizes long-term health over short-term expediency, which is the hallmark of a championship organization focused on the spring.
B. Christian Braun: The Ankle Re-Evaluation
Christian Braun, who suffered a left ankle sprain in mid-November, has been a major loss for the backcourt’s defensive intensity. The good news here is the progression toward his re-evaluation date.
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Six-Week Sprain: Braun’s injury was initially deemed a six-week recovery/re-evaluation timeline, placing his potential return date solidly in late December or early January. This period of certainty, rather than day-to-day uncertainty, provides relief.
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The Defensive Motor: Braun is the Nuggets’ defensive engine on the perimeter, offering high-energy hustle, on-ball pressure, and switchability that the team desperately needs. His absence has forced Jamal Murray and other perimeter players to absorb heavier defensive assignments. Getting a firm timeline for his return means the team can anticipate the restoration of their defensive grit and rotational balance soon.
III. The Silver Lining: Development Under Duress
While injuries are always a setback, the sustained absences of Gordon, Braun, and Strawther have created a crucial silver lining: the accelerated development of players further down the rotation. This unintended consequence will ultimately serve the Nuggets well in the playoffs.
A. Spencer Jones: The Clutch Emergence
The overtime win against the Rockets highlighted the emergence of Spencer Jones. Thrust into high-leverage minutes, the two-way player delivered two absolutely critical corner three-pointers and provided tough defense.
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Testing the Depth Chart: Adelman has been forced to trust players like Jones, and their success in clutch moments validates the team’s scouting and player development. When the starters return, the Nuggets will possess tested, high-confidence reserves who have proven they can perform in an intense, playoff-like atmosphere.
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A Deeper Bench for the Playoffs: The experience gained by Jones and others during this period of injury crisis means the Nuggets will have a deeper, more reliable bench when the postseason arrives. This is critical for managing load and maintaining intensity over a grueling four-round tournament.
B. Peyton Watson’s Starter Reps
The extended period in the starting lineup for Peyton Watson, despite his own recent minor scare (a right trunk contusion against the Rockets), has been invaluable. He is logging starter minutes, guarding top opposing wings, and honing his offensive efficiency. These high-usage reps ensure that when the full team is healthy, Watson will be an even more dynamic and trustworthy piece of the rotation, whether he remains a starter or returns to an elite sixth-man role.
Health is the True Championship Equity
The Nuggets’ promising injury news, centered on the imminent return of Julian Strawther and the clear late-December timelines for Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun, signals that the worst of their injury crisis may be over. The team has navigated this period admirably, maintaining a top record thanks to the MVP-level output of Jokic and the clutch brilliance of Murray.
The next few weeks will be dedicated to getting Gordon and Braun back to full health and seamlessly re-integrating the returning players. The ultimate goal is to enter the calendar year 2026 at full strength, armed with a deep, battle-tested bench ready to defend their championship. The early season adversity, while frustrating, has strengthened the resolve and tested the depth of the entire roster, making the Nuggets an even more formidable opponent once the injury report is finally cleared.
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