2025–26 Denver Nuggets season

2025–26 Denver Nuggets season
Head coachDavid Adelman
PresidentJosh Kroenke
General managerBen Tenzer
OwnersAnn Walton Kroenke
ArenaBall Arena
Results
Record43–28 (.606)
PlaceDivision: 2nd (Northwest)
Conference: 5th (Western)

Stats at Basketball Reference
Local media
TelevisionAltitude Sports and Entertainment
RadioKKSE

The 2025–26 Denver Nuggets season is the 50th season for the franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The season marked the first since the 2014–15 season without Michael Malone as head coach, following his dismissal on April 8, 2025.[1] On May 22, the Nuggets hired David Adelman as their full-time head coach.[2] The season also marks the first with Ben Tenzer serving as executive vice president of basketball operations and Jon Wallace as executive vice president of player personnel, jointly succeeding Calvin Booth, who was relieved of his duties as general manager on April 8, 2025.

On Christmas Day, center Nikola Jokić became the first player in league history to have a 55–15–15 game in an overtime win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. However, he suffered a left knee injury only four days later and missed the next four weeks.[3]

Draft

The Nuggets entered the 2025 NBA draft without holding any selections, as they had traded their original first- and second-round picks to the Orlando Magic and the Minnesota Timberwolves (eventually landed with the Phoenix Suns), respectively. This made them the only team to begin the draft without a pick. However, by the conclusion of the draft, they were joined by the Houston Rockets, whose pending trades—most notably the trade to acquire Kevin Durant from the Phoenix Suns—were expected to become official by July 6.[4][5]

Roster

Players Coaches
Pos. No. Player Height Weight DOB From
G 0 Christian Braun 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 2001-04-17 Kansas
G/F 11 Bruce Brown 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 202 lb (92 kg) 1996-08-15 Miami (FL)
F 32 Aaron Gordon  6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1995-09-16 Arizona
G/F 10 Tim Hardaway Jr. 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1992-03-16 Michigan
F 14 DaRon Holmes II 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 2002-09-15 Dayton
F 23 Cameron Johnson 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1996-03-03 North Carolina
C 15 Nikola Jokić 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 284 lb (129 kg) 1995-02-19 Serbia
G 1 Curtis Jones (TW) 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 2001-10-04 Iowa State
F 21 Spencer Jones 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 2001-06-14 Stanford
G 5 Tyus Jones 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 1996-05-10 Duke
G 27 Jamal Murray 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1997-02-23 Kentucky
F/C 22 Zeke Nnaji 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 2001-01-09 Arizona
G 24 Jalen Pickett 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 202 lb (92 kg) 1999-10-22 Penn State
F 45 David Roddy (TW) 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 255 lb (116 kg) 2001-03-27 Colorado State
G 25 KJ Simpson (TW) 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 189 lb (86 kg) 2002-08-08 Colorado
G 3 Julian Strawther 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 2002-04-18 Gonzaga
C 17 Jonas Valančiūnas 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 265 lb (120 kg) 1992-05-06 Lithuania
G 8 Peyton Watson  6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 2002-09-11 UCLA
Head coach
Assistant(s)

Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • (GL) On assignment to G League
  • (TW) Two-way affiliate player
  • Injured

Roster
Updated: March 4, 2026

Standings

Division

Northwest DivisionWLPCTGBHomeRoadDivGP
yOklahoma City Thunder5515.78629‍–‍726‍–‍811–370
psDenver Nuggets4328.60612.520‍–‍1323‍–‍156–571
psMinnesota Timberwolves4328.60612.524‍–‍1319‍–‍159–671
Portland Trail Blazers3536.49320.518‍–‍1617‍–‍205–671
oUtah Jazz2149.30034.013‍–‍228‍–‍271–1170

Conference

Western Conference
#TeamWLPCTGBGP
1yOklahoma City Thunder *5515.78670
2xSan Antonio Spurs *5218.7433.070
3psLos Angeles Lakers *4525.64310.070
4psHouston Rockets4227.60912.569
5psDenver Nuggets4328.60612.571
6psMinnesota Timberwolves4328.60612.571
7psPhoenix Suns3931.55716.070
8Portland Trail Blazers3536.49320.571
9Los Angeles Clippers3436.48621.070
10Golden State Warriors3337.47122.070
11New Orleans Pelicans2546.35230.571
12Memphis Grizzlies2445.34830.569
13Dallas Mavericks2347.32932.070
14oUtah Jazz2149.30034.070
15oSacramento Kings1853.25437.571

Game log

Preseason

2025 preseason game log
Total: 3–2 (Home: 1–1; Road: 2–1)
Preseason: 3–2 (home: 1–1; road: 2–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
1 October 4 Minnesota L 116–126 Gordon, Jokić (14) Nikola Jokić (5) Jamal Murray (5) Pechanga Arena
12,096
0–1
2 October 6 @ Toronto W 112–108 Christian Braun (19) Peyton Watson (7) Nikola Jokić (5) Rogers Arena
18,654
1–1
3 October 12 @ L.A. Clippers W 102–94 Aaron Gordon (18) Nikola Jokić (9) Jokić, Valančiūnas (6) Intuit Dome
13,951
2–1
4 October 14 Chicago W 124–117 Jamal Murray (30) Nikola Jokić (8) Nikola Jokić (8) Ball Arena
16,567
3–1
5 October 17 @ Oklahoma City L 91–94 Peyton Watson (15) Johnson, Watson (6) Johnson, Pickett, Watson (4) Paycom Center
0
3–2
2025–26 preseason schedule

Regular season

2025–26 game log
Total: 43–28 (Home: 20–13; Road: 23–15)
October: 3–2 (home: 2–0; road: 1–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
1 October 23 @ Golden State L 131–137 (OT) Aaron Gordon (50) Nikola Jokić (13) Jokić, Murray (10) Chase Center
18,064
0–1
2 October 25 Phoenix W 133–111 Jamal Murray (23) Nikola Jokić (14) Nikola Jokić (15) Ball Arena
20,025
1–1
3 October 27 @ Minnesota W 127–114 Jamal Murray (43) Nikola Jokić (19) Nikola Jokić (10) Target Center
14,018
2–1
4 October 29 New Orleans W 122–88 Nikola Jokić (21) Nikola Jokić (12) Nikola Jokić (10) Ball Arena
19,533
3–1
5 October 31 @ Portland L 107–109 Jamal Murray (22) Nikola Jokić (14) Nikola Jokić (9) Moda Center
16,382
3–2
November: 11–3 (home: 4–3; road: 7–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
6 November 3 Sacramento W 130–124 Nikola Jokić (34) Gordon, Jokić, Murray (7) Nikola Jokić (14) Ball Arena
19,653
4–2
7 November 5 Miami W 122–112 Nikola Jokić (33) Nikola Jokić (15) Nikola Jokić (16) Ball Arena
19,862
5–2
8 November 7 Golden State W 129–104 Nikola Jokić (26) Nikola Jokić (9) Nikola Jokić (9) Ball Arena
19,969
6–2
9 November 8 Indiana W 117–100 Nikola Jokić (32) Nikola Jokić (14) Nikola Jokić (14) Ball Arena
19,954
7–2
10 November 11 @ Sacramento W 122–108 Nikola Jokić (35) Nikola Jokić (15) Jamal Murray (8) Golden 1 Center
15,106
8–2
11 November 12 @ L.A. Clippers W 130–116 Nikola Jokić (55) Nikola Jokić (12) Nikola Jokić (6) Intuit Dome
17,927
9–2
12 November 15 @ Minnesota W 123–112 Nikola Jokić (27) Nikola Jokić (12) Jamal Murray (12) Target Center
18,978
10–2
13 November 17 Chicago L 127–130 Nikola Jokić (36) Nikola Jokić (18) Nikola Jokić (13) Ball Arena
19,951
10–3
14 November 19 @ New Orleans W 125–118 Peyton Watson (32) Peyton Watson (12) Nikola Jokić (12) Smoothie King Center
16,484
11–3
15 November 21 @ Houston W 112–109 Nikola Jokić (34) Jokić, Watson (10) Jamal Murray (10) Toyota Center
18,108
12–3
16 November 22 Sacramento L 123–128 Nikola Jokić (44) Nikola Jokić (13) Jamal Murray (9) Ball Arena
19,893
12–4
17 November 24 @ Memphis W 125–115 Jamal Murray (29) Nikola Jokić (10) Nikola Jokić (16) FedExForum
15,519
13–4
18 November 28 San Antonio L 136–139 Jamal Murray (37) Nikola Jokić (9) Nikola Jokić (10) Ball Arena
19,936
13–5
19 November 29 @ Phoenix W 130–112 Nikola Jokić (26) Jokić, Jones (9) Brown, Jokić (10) Mortgage Matchup Center
17,071
14–5
December: 9–5 (home: 4–2; road: 5–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
20 December 1 Dallas L 121–131 Nikola Jokić (29) Nikola Jokić (20) Nikola Jokić (13) Ball Arena
19,587
14–6
21 December 3 @ Indiana W 135–120 Jamal Murray (52) Nikola Jokić (8) Nikola Jokić (13) Gainbridge Fieldhouse
15,578
15–6
22 December 5 @ Atlanta W 134–133 Nikola Jokić (40) Nikola Jokić (9) Jamal Murray (12) State Farm Arena
16,149
16–6
23 December 7 @ Charlotte W 115–106 Jamal Murray (34) Nikola Jokić (9) Nikola Jokić (11) Spectrum Center
18,416
17–6
24 December 11 @ Sacramento W 136–105 Nikola Jokić (36) Nikola Jokić (12) Jamal Murray (9) Golden 1 Center
16,307
18–6
25 December 15 Houston W 128–125 (OT) Nikola Jokić (39) Nikola Jokić (15) Nikola Jokić (10) Ball Arena
19,596
19–6
26 December 18 Orlando W 126–115 Jamal Murray (32) Johnson, Jokić (11) Nikola Jokić (13) Ball Arena
19,731
20–6
27 December 20 Houston L 101–115 Nikola Jokić (25) Bruce Brown (12) Jamal Murray (7) Ball Arena
19,955
20–7
28 December 22 Utah W 135–112 Jamal Murray (27) Nikola Jokić (13) Nikola Jokić (13) Ball Arena
19,887
21–7
29 December 23 @ Dallas L 130–131 Jamal Murray (31) Tied (7) Jokić, Murray (14) American Airlines Center
19,432
21–8
30 December 25 Minnesota W 142–138 (OT) Nikola Jokić (56) Nikola Jokić (16) Nikola Jokić (15) Ball Arena
20,046
22–8
31 December 27 @ Orlando L 126–127 Nikola Jokić (34) Nikola Jokić (21) Nikola Jokić (12) Kia Center
19,151
22–9
32 December 29 @ Miami L 123–147 Nikola Jokić (21) Jamal Murray (6) Jamal Murray (11) Kaseya Center
20,047
22–10
33 December 31 @ Toronto W 106–103 Peyton Watson (24) Jonas Valančiūnas (9) Jamal Murray (6) Scotiabank Arena
19,181
23–10
January: 10–6 (home: 4–4; road: 6–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
34 January 2 @ Cleveland L 108–113 Jamal Murray (34) Jones, Murray (6) Jamal Murray (7) Rocket Arena
19,432
23–11
35 January 4 @ Brooklyn L 115–127 Jamal Murray (27) Gordon, Murray (6) Jamal Murray (16) Barclays Center
17,548
23–12
36 January 5 @ Philadelphia W 125–124 (OT) Jalen Pickett (29) Zeke Nnaji (8) Jalen Pickett (7) Xfinity Mobile Arena
18,521
24–12
37 January 7 @ Boston W 114–110 Peyton Watson (30) Jamal Murray (8) Jamal Murray (17) TD Garden
19,156
25–12
38 January 9 Atlanta L 87–110 Peyton Watson (25) Peyton Watson (11) Jalen Pickett (6) Ball Arena
19,650
25–13
39 January 11 Milwaukee W 108–104 Tim Hardaway Jr. (25) Zeke Nnaji (10) Peyton Watson (6) Ball Arena
19,645
26–13
40 January 13 @ New Orleans W 122–116 Jamal Murray (35) Gordon, Watson (7) Jamal Murray (9) Smoothie King Center
17,309
27–13
41 January 14 @ Dallas W 118–109 Jamal Murray (33) Gordon, Pickett (6) Jamal Murray (5) American Airlines Center
18,888
28–13
42 January 17 Washington W 121–115 Jamal Murray (42) Aaron Gordon (10) Aaron Gordon (11) Ball Arena
19,968
29–13
43 January 18 Charlotte L 87–110 Jamal Murray (16) Spencer Jones (6) Jalen Pickett (7) Ball Arena
19,971
29–14
44 January 20 L.A. Lakers L 107–115 Jamal Murray (28) Jalen Pickett (6) Jamal Murray (11) Ball Arena
19,974
29–15
45 January 22 @ Washington W 107–97 Peyton Watson (35) Jonas Valančiūnas (9) Tied (5) Capital One Arena
15,040
30–15
46 January 23 @ Milwaukee W 102–100 Julian Strawther (20) Zeke Nnaji (12) Jalen Pickett (7) Fiserv Forum
17,341
31–15
January 25 @ Memphis Postponed due to the January 2026 North American winter storm.[6] Makeup date March 18.
47 January 27 Detroit L 107–109 Jamal Murray (24) Jonas Valančiūnas (16) Jamal Murray (10) Ball Arena
19,734
31–16
48 January 29 Brooklyn W 107–103 Jamal Murray (27) Jonas Valančiūnas (9) Jamal Murray (6) Ball Arena
19,630
32–16
49 January 30 L.A. Clippers W 122–109 Nikola Jokić (31) Nikola Jokić (12) Jamal Murray (9) Ball Arena
20,016
33–16
February: 4–7 (home: 2–2; road: 2–5)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
50 February 1 Oklahoma City L 111–121 Peyton Watson (29) Nikola Jokić (7) Jamal Murray (12) Ball Arena
19,900
33–17
51 February 3 @ Detroit L 121–124 Jamal Murray (32) Nikola Jokić (15) Jamal Murray (8) Little Caesars Arena
19,976
33–18
52 February 4 @ New York L 127–134 (2OT) Jamal Murray (39) Nikola Jokić (14) Nikola Jokić (10) Madison Square Garden
19,812
33–19
53 February 7 @ Chicago W 136–120 Jamal Murray (28) Nikola Jokić (14) Nikola Jokić (17) United Center
20,939
34–19
54 February 9 Cleveland L 117–119 Nikola Jokić (22) Nikola Jokić (14) Jokić, Murray (11) Ball Arena
19,647
34–20
55 February 11 Memphis W 122–116 Nikola Jokić (26) Nikola Jokić (15) Nikola Jokić (11) Ball Arena
19,651
35–20
All-Star Game
56 February 19 @ L.A. Clippers L 114–115 Nikola Jokić (22) Nikola Jokić (17) Jamal Murray (8) Intuit Dome
17,927
35–21
57 February 20 @ Portland W 157–103 Nikola Jokić (32) Spencer Jones (10) Braun, Jokić (7) Moda Center
18,566
36–21
58 February 22 @ Golden State L 117–128 Nikola Jokić (35) Nikola Jokić (20) Nikola Jokić (12) Chase Center
18,064
36–22
59 February 25 Boston W 103–84 Nikola Jokić (30) Nikola Jokić (12) Nikola Jokić (6) Ball Arena
19,763
37–22
60 February 27 @ Oklahoma City L 121–127 (OT) Jamal Murray (39) Nikola Jokić (14) Nikola Jokić (17) Paycom Center
18,203
37–23
March: 6–5 (home: 4–2; road: 2–3)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
61 March 1 Minnesota L 108–117 Nikola Jokić (35) Nikola Jokić (13) Nikola Jokić (9) Ball Arena
19,895
37–24
62 March 2 @ Utah W 128–125 Jamal Murray (45) Nikola Jokić (12) Jamal Murray (8) Delta Center
18,186
38–24
63 March 5 L.A. Lakers W 120–113 Jokić, Murray (28) Nikola Jokić (12) Nikola Jokić (13) Ball Arena
19,947
39–24
64 March 6 New York L 103–142 Nikola Jokić (38) Nikola Jokić (8) Tied (5) Ball Arena
19,807
39–25
65 March 9 @ Oklahoma City L 126–129 Nikola Jokić (32) Nikola Jokić (14) Nikola Jokić (13) Paycom Center
18,203
39–26
66 March 11 Houston W 129–93 Jamal Murray (30) Nikola Jokić (12) Nikola Jokić (13) Ball Arena
19,602
40–26
67 March 12 @ San Antonio W 136–131 Jamal Murray (39) Nikola Jokić (20) Nikola Jokić (12) Frost Bank Center
19,038
41–26
68 March 14 @ L.A. Lakers L 125–127 (OT) Aaron Gordon (27) Nikola Jokić (16) Nikola Jokić (14) Crypto.com Arena
18,997
41–27
69 March 17 Philadelphia W 124–96 Christian Braun (22) Jonas Valančiūnas (9) Nikola Jokić (14) Ball Arena
19,917
42–27
70 March 18 @ Memphis L 118–125 Nikola Jokić (29) Nikola Jokić (14) Jamal Murray (12) FedExForum
15,612
42–28
71 March 20 Toronto W 121–115 Jamal Murray (31) Nikola Jokić (8) Nikola Jokić (9) Ball Arena
19,924
43–28
72 March 22 Portland Ball Arena
73 March 24 @ Phoenix Mortgage Matchup Center
74 March 25 Dallas Ball Arena
75 March 27 Utah Ball Arena
76 March 29 Golden State Ball Arena
April: 0–0 (home: 0–0; road: 0–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
77 April 1 @ Utah Delta Center
78 April 4 San Antonio Ball Arena
79 April 6 Portland Ball Arena
80 April 8 Memphis Ball Arena
81 April 10 Oklahoma City Ball Arena
82 April 12 @ San Antonio Frost Bank Center
2025–26 season schedule

NBA Cup

The Nuggets will compete in Group C of the Western Conference, which includes the Golden State Warriors, the Houston Rockets, the Portland Trail Blazers and the San Antonio Spurs.[7]

West Group C

Pos Team Pld W L PF PA PD Qualification
1 San Antonio Spurs 4 3 1 483 457 +26 Advanced to knockout rounds
2 Denver Nuggets 4 2 2 484 461 +23
3 Houston Rockets 4 2 2 463 449 +14
4 Portland Trail Blazers 4 2 2 454 485 −31
5 Golden State Warriors 4 1 3 436 468 −32
Source: NBA

Transactions

Trades

Date Trade Ref.
July 8, 2025 To Brooklyn Nets
To Denver Nuggets
[8]
July 13, 2025 To Sacramento Kings
To Denver Nuggets
[9]
February 5, 2026 To Brooklyn Nets
To Denver Nuggets
  • 2026 second-round pick[i]
[10]
  1. ^ The less favorable of the picks originally belonging to Atlanta and LA Clippers.

Free agency

Re-signed

Date Player Signed Ref.
July 3, 2025 Spencer Jones 1-year extension [11]

Additions

Date Player Signed Former Team Ref.
July 2, 2025 Tamar Bates Two-way contract Missouri [12]
July 9, 2025 Bruce Brown 1-year, $2.3 million New Orleans Pelicans [13]
July 10, 2025 Tim Hardaway Jr. 1-year, $2.3 million Detroit Pistons [14]
July 21, 2025 Curtis Jones Two-way contract Iowa State [15]
August 12, 2025 Kessler Edwards 1-year Dallas Mavericks [16]

Subtractions

Date Player Reason New Team Ref.
July 3, 2025 Trey Alexander Free agent New Orleans Pelicans [11]
July 17, 2025 Vlatko Čančar Free agent Olimpia Milano [17]
July 21, 2025 PJ Hall Released Memphis Grizzlies [18]
October 16, 2025 Russell Westbrook Free agent Sacramento Kings
October 24, 2025 DeAndre Jordan Free agent New Orleans Pelicans [19]

Notes

References

  1. ^ "Nuggets sack coach Malone two years after Championship win". BBC Sport. April 8, 2025.
  2. ^ "Denver Nuggets name David Adelman head coach". NBA.com. May 22, 2025. Retrieved May 22, 2025.
  3. ^ "Three-time MVP Jokic suffers 'gut-wrenching' injury". BBC Sport.
  4. ^ Quinn, Sam (May 12, 2025). "2025 NBA Draft order, Lottery results: Mavericks win No. 1 pick with long odds, will likely take Cooper Flagg". CBS Sports. Retrieved May 13, 2025.
  5. ^ "2025 NBA Draft Order: Picks 1-59". NBA.com. May 12, 2024. Retrieved May 20, 2025.
  6. ^ "The NBA postponed two games Sunday due to a massive storm". NBA.
  7. ^ "Groups for 2025 NBA Cup tournament released by league".
  8. ^ "Nuggets Acquire Cameron Johnson from Brooklyn Nets in Exchange for Michael Porter Jr. | Denver Nuggets". Nuggets.com. July 8, 2025. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
  9. ^ "NUGGETS ACQUIRE JONAS VALANČIŪNAS | Denver Nuggets". nuggets.com. Retrieved July 13, 2025.
  10. ^ NBA.com staff. "2025-26 NBA Trade Tracker: Every official deal". NBA. Retrieved February 6, 2026.
  11. ^ a b "NBA Player Transactions | NBA.com". NBA. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
  12. ^ Brooks, Matt (July 1, 2025). "NUGGETS SIGN TAMAR BATES TO TWO-WAY CONTRACT | Denver Nuggets". Nuggets.com. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
  13. ^ "NUGGETS SIGN BRUCE BROWN | Denver Nuggets". nuggets.com. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
  14. ^ "NUGGETS SIGN TIM HARDAWAY JR. | Denver Nuggets". nuggets.com. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
  15. ^ Dubrof, Jeff (July 20, 2025). "Curtis Jones signs two-way contract with Denver Nuggets". KCCI. Retrieved July 21, 2025.
  16. ^ Veazey, Austin (August 12, 2025). "Former versatile Mavericks forward joining Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets". Dallas Mavericks On SI. Retrieved September 8, 2025.
  17. ^ "Denver Nuggets NBA Champion Signs with Team Overseas". Denver Nuggets On SI. July 18, 2025. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
  18. ^ "Grizzlies' PJ Hall: Signs two-way deal with Memphis". CBSSports.com. July 20, 2025. Retrieved July 21, 2025.
  19. ^ "Pelicans sign DeAndre Jordan to reported 1-year deal | NBA.com". NBA. Retrieved January 6, 2026.