The Denver Nuggets are set to face the Charlotte Hornets on Sunday, December 7, 2025, in a game where momentum and health will be key factors. Riding high with a strong 16-6 record, which places them third in the competitive Western Conference, the Nuggets are looking to extend their two-game winning streak. Their impressive 10-2 record on the road makes them formidable visitors in Charlotte.
Jokic Leads Nuggets Despite Injury Concerns
The biggest news for Denver is the availability of their superstar, Nikola Jokic. The two-time MVP is officially cleared to play, continuing his ironman streak this season despite managing a persistent left wrist sprain. The injury has done little to slow his phenomenal production. Jokic enters this contest averaging a stellar 29.2 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 11 assists per game, while shooting an elite 60.8% from the field.
His recent performance underscores his dominance. In a nail-biting 134-133 victory over the Atlanta Hawks, Jokic poured in 40 points, along with 9 rebounds and 8 assists. Historically, he has excelled against the Hornets, averaging over 22 points and 13.7 rebounds in 20 career meetings. With Charlotte's depleted frontcourt, Jokic is poised for another masterclass.
Injury Reports: Nuggets Missing Depth, Hornets Decimated
While Jokic and co-star Jamal Murray (playing through an ankle sprain) are active, the Nuggets' bench is stretched thin. Key rotational players are sidelined, including Aaron Gordon (right hamstring strain), Christian Braun (left ankle sprain), and Julian Strawther (lower back management).
The situation is far more severe for the home team. The Charlotte Hornets, struggling at 7-16 and 12th in the Eastern Conference, are without their floor general, LaMelo Ball. Ball is out with a left ankle bone bruise sustained in a win over Toronto. The injury list extends significantly, crippling their backcourt and wing depth.
Charlotte's key absentees include:
- Collin Sexton (Left Quadriceps Strain)
- Tre Mann (Right Knee Bone Bruise)
- Pat Connaughton (Right Calf Strain)
- Josh Green (Left Shoulder Surgery)
- Grant Williams (Right Knee Surgery)
Moussa Diabate is listed as questionable with right knee soreness. This leaves Miles Bridges, averaging 20.8 points per game, to shoulder a massive offensive burden without Ball's 19.9 points and playmaking.
Game Prediction and Stakes
With tip-off scheduled for 6 p.m. ET, the stage is set for a game heavily tilted in Denver's favour. The Nuggets are favoured by six points, and the matchup dynamics strongly support them. Charlotte's injury crisis, particularly in the paint, creates a perfect scenario for Nikola Jokic to dominate.
Denver's mission is clear: leverage their superstar center to control the tempo, dominate rebounds, and secure another crucial road victory to solidify their standing among the West's elite. For the Hornets, it becomes a scramble for stability and an uphill battle to contain one of the league's most unstoppable forces without their primary contributors. The clash promises high stakes and will be a true test of resilience for the injury-ravaged Charlotte squad.
