In a significant boost for the Denver Nuggets, their superstar centre Nikola Jokic has been cleared to play against the Orlando Magic on Friday, December 27, 2025. The reigning MVP does not feature on the team's latest injury report, confirming his availability as the team embarks on a crucial road trip.
Jokic's Historic Form and the Road Trip Challenge
The timing of Jokic's availability is critical. He is coming off arguably the most spectacular performance of his career, where he dominated the court with a staggering 56 points, 16 rebounds, and 15 assists in an overtime victory against the Minnesota Timberwolves. This monumental triple-double set a new NBA benchmark and has electrified the league.
This game kicks off a lengthy road journey for the Nuggets, who currently hold an impressive 22-8 record, placing them third in the highly competitive Western Conference. Their opponents, the Orlando Magic, stand at 17-14 and are sixth in the Eastern Conference. The match is scheduled for a 7 p.m. ET tip-off at the Kia Center in Orlando.
Injury Concerns for Both Squads
While Jokic is ready to go, the Nuggets are navigating significant injury woes. The team's injury report lists several key players as unavailable: Tamar Bates (left foot surgery), Christian Braun (left ankle sprain), Aaron Gordon (right hamstring strain), and Cam Johnson (right knee hyperextension). In their absence, players like Tim Hardaway Jr. and Peyton Watson have seen expanded roles, with Hardaway securing a starting position in recent outings.
Fortunately for Denver, star guard Jamal Murray remains available and continues to be a potent scoring threat, averaging 25.4 points per game, providing essential support alongside Jokic.
The Orlando Magic are also dealing with their own health issues, especially as they play the second game of a back-to-back. Key players Goga Bitadze (left knee strain) and Jalen Suggs (left hip contusion) are marked as questionable. Furthermore, Moritz Wagner, Franz Wagner, and Caleb Castleton are all listed as doubtful. The Magic are looking to bounce back from a 120-105 loss to the Charlotte Hornets, where they had to rely on a shortened rotation.
Jokic's Dominance and Betting Outlook
Nikola Jokic's season statistics underline his MVP-calibre influence. He currently leads the entire NBA in rebounds (12.1 per game) and assists (11.0 per game), while also ranking fifth in scoring with an average of 29.8 points per game. With multiple teammates sidelined, Denver's offensive system will run almost exclusively through the Serbian maestro.
His recent 55-15-15 stat line was a first in league history, and betting markets reflect his heavy usage. For the upcoming game, his projected lines are set at 30.5 points, 12.5 rebounds, and 10.5 assists. Despite the Nuggets' injury list, they enter the contest as eight-point favourites, largely due to Jokic's presence.
This will be the second meeting between these teams this month. On December 18, Denver secured a 126-115 win, a game in which Jokic also set the NBA assist record for centres.
How to Watch Denver Nuggets vs Orlando Magic
Fans in India and globally can catch the action live. The game will be broadcast on ALT2, FDSFL, and WESH. For streaming, the match will be available on the Fubo platform. All eyes will be on Nikola Jokic to see if he can maintain his extraordinary level of play and control the game from start to finish, carrying his short-handed team to another victory on the road.
