Cleveland Cavaliers vs Denver Nuggets: Injury Reports and Key Matchup Factors for February 9 Clash

The Cleveland Cavaliers will travel to Ball Arena on February 9 to face the Denver Nuggets in a compelling interconference matchup between two teams positioned near the top of their respective conferences. Cleveland has established itself as one of the more consistent and defensively sound teams in the Eastern Conference, while Denver continues to navigate a challenging injury list as it strives to maintain its standing in the highly competitive Western Conference.

Player Availability Could Define Game Strategy

Player availability may prove to be as influential as tactical planning in determining the outcome of this contest. Both franchises are closely monitoring several key players, with late decisions on their status expected to significantly impact rotations, playing time allocations, and critical individual matchups. Cleveland enters this game focused on solidifying and improving its playoff seeding, whereas Denver aims to protect its strong home-court advantage at Ball Arena.

Cleveland Cavaliers Injury Report for February 9

The Cleveland Cavaliers approach this matchup with a record of 31-21, placing them second in the Central Division. However, their roster depth is being tested by several absences.

Players Ruled Out (Not Playing):

Evan Mobley (PF/C, #4) - Suffering from a left calf strain; has already missed multiple consecutive games.
Max Strus (SG, #2) - Recovering from surgery for a left-foot Jones fracture; no definitive timeline for his return has been established.
Emanuel Miller (SF, #15) - A two-way/G-League player; officially ruled out for this contest.

Players Listed as Questionable (50/50 Chance to Play):

Jaylon Tyson (SF, #20) - Managing a left ankle sprain; currently listed as day-to-day.
Dean Wade (PF, #32) - Also dealing with a left ankle sprain; while expected to miss additional time, he remains on the questionable list.

Should both Tyson and Wade be unavailable, Cleveland will need to lean more heavily on the scoring prowess of Donovan Mitchell and the interior presence of Jarrett Allen. The veteran backcourt duo of James Harden and Dennis Schröder will be tasked with additional playmaking responsibilities. In the frontcourt, players like Larry Nance Jr. and Thomas Bryant are likely to see increased minutes to compensate for the absences.

Denver Nuggets Injury Report for February 9

The Denver Nuggets hold a record of 33-19, good for second place in the Northwest Division. However, their quest for lineup stability has been hampered by a series of injuries.

Players Ruled Out (Not Playing):

Tamar Bates (SG, #7) - Underwent left foot surgery.
Curtis Jones (G, #1) - Designated as a development/G-League player.
Spencer Jones (SF, #21) - Currently in the NBA's concussion protocol; not expected to return until at least February 11.
Peyton Watson (SF, #8) - Diagnosed with a right leg strain.

Game-Time Decisions / Questionable Players:

Nikola Jokić (C, #15) - Dealing with an ankle issue; officially listed as a game-time decision. If he does play, his minutes may be carefully managed and limited.
Christian Braun (SG, #0) - Suffering from an ankle sprain.
Jamal Murray (PG, #27) - Managing left hip inflammation; his status is being closely monitored by the medical staff.

If any of these key players are limited or unavailable, Denver will likely increase the roles of Aaron Gordon, Cameron Johnson, Zeke Nnaji, and Jonas Valančiūnas. Additional ball-handling duties could fall to Jalen Pickett and Julian Strawther.

Head-to-Head History and Recent Meetings

The Cavaliers and Nuggets have faced each other 100 times during the regular season, with Denver historically holding a 54-46 series advantage. Cleveland has narrowed this gap in recent years, thanks to marked improvements in team defense and more consistent scoring output.

The teams have already engaged in at least one tightly contested game earlier this season. Denver approaches this rematch following a narrow loss in that prior encounter. Cleveland continues to rank among the league's elite defensive squads, while Denver's offense remains highly efficient and potent when operating at full health.

Team Statistics Snapshot for the 2025-26 Season

A comparative look at key team metrics highlights the stylistic differences between these two contenders:

Offensive Rating: Cleveland (~114–115, top-10) vs. Denver (~117–118, elite tier).
Defensive Rating: Cleveland (~109–110, top-5) vs. Denver (~113–114, middle-of-the-pack).
Rebounds Per Game: Cleveland (~44–45) vs. Denver (~42–43).
Turnovers Per Game: Cleveland (~11–12) vs. Denver (~13–14).
3-Point Rate (FGA): Cleveland (~38–40%) vs. Denver (~34–36%).

Cleveland's identity is built on stout defense, strong rebounding, and balanced scoring led by Mitchell and Harden. Conversely, Denver's offensive system is orchestrated through the unparalleled passing and half-court execution of center Nikola Jokić.

Critical Matchup Factors for February 9

Several key factors will likely determine the flow and outcome of this game:

Guard Play: If Murray or Braun are unable to play full minutes, Cleveland's guard trio of Mitchell, Harden, and Schröder could find more operating space, particularly in pick-and-roll situations.
Interior Matchup: The status of Nikola Jokić is paramount. If he plays, Jarrett Allen and Larry Nance Jr. will shoulder the primary defensive responsibilities against him. If he is limited or out, Cleveland can redirect defensive attention toward Denver's perimeter threats.
Rebounding Battle: Cleveland ranks among the league leaders in rebounding. Denver's frontcourt, though capable, is currently thinner due to injuries, which could give the Cavaliers a tangible advantage on the glass.

What to Watch For on February 9

This game presents Cleveland with a valuable opportunity to measure itself against a Western Conference contender in a challenging road environment. For Denver, the objective is to maintain its formidable home record despite significant roster uncertainty.

If Jokić and Murray are both available and effective, Denver's high-powered offense may have enough firepower to secure a victory. However, Cleveland possesses the defensive structure, rebounding prowess, and scoring balance to remain highly competitive and potentially secure a crucial road win. The final result may hinge on which team best manages its injury-related adversity and executes its game plan under pressure.