A highly anticipated NBA showdown between two championship contenders has been dramatically reshaped by significant injury news. The Denver Nuggets, holding a 24-12 record, are set to visit the Boston Celtics, 23-12, at the TD Garden on Wednesday, January 7, 2026. What was billed as a marquee matchup featuring MVP-caliber talent will now be a profound test of each team's roster depth and strategic adaptability.
Injury Report: Major Absences Reshape the Contest
The headline news is the absence of both teams' leading stars. For the Denver Nuggets, reigning force Nikola Jokic is sidelined with a left knee bone bruise. His absence creates a massive void in their offense and playmaking. The Nuggets' injury list extends further, with Cam Johnson (right knee bone bruise), Jonas Valanciunas (right calf strain), and Tamar Bates (left foot surgery) also confirmed out.
Denver's situation remains fluid with several key players listed as questionable. The availability of Jamal Murray (left ankle sprain), Aaron Gordon (right hamstring strain), Christian Braun (left ankle), and Tim Hardaway Jr. (illness) will be decided closer to tip-off, heavily influencing their game plan.
On the other side, the Boston Celtics' list is shorter but equally impactful. Jayson Tatum will miss the game due to an Achilles issue, depriving the Celtics of their primary scorer. Josh Minott is also out with an ankle injury. This forces Boston to rely more heavily on its remaining core and backcourt rotation to generate offense.
Team Dynamics and Key Players to Watch
With the star power diminished, the game shifts focus to secondary stars and role players. The statistical profiles of the teams set up a classic clash of styles. The Denver Nuggets lead the entire NBA in scoring, averaging 124.4 points per game, but rank a concerning 22nd in points allowed (118.3). In contrast, the Boston Celtics score a solid 117.8 points per game but pride themselves on elite defense, ranking 2nd in the league by allowing only 110.5 points.
If he is cleared to play, the offensive burden for Denver will fall squarely on guard Jamal Murray, who averages 25.4 points and 7.2 assists while shooting an impressive 44.7% from three-point range. Aaron Gordon (18.9 points, 5.9 rebounds) and Peyton Watson, who has stepped up with an expanded role averaging 12.2 points, will be critical.
For the Celtics, Jaylen Brown becomes the undisputed offensive focal point, averaging 29.6 points and 6.3 rebounds per game. The backcourt duo of Derrick White and Payton Pritchard will be essential in providing steady scoring, playmaking, and floor spacing to compensate for Tatum's absence.
Broadcast Details, History, and Game Outlook
Fans can catch this intriguing matchup with a 7:00 PM ET tip-off on Wednesday, January 7, 2026. The game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN. Local viewers can tune in via NBC Sports Boston and ALT/KTVD, while streaming options include Fubo and other NBA-authorized platforms.
Recent history shows the teams have split their last four meetings, though Boston secured victories in both encounters during the 2025 season. An interesting trend points to high-scoring affairs in Denver's games, which have frequently exceeded the 233.5 total points line. Given the combined scoring averages of both teams, another high-scoring game is plausible.
Despite being on the road, the Nuggets boast a strong 14-4 record away from home, suggesting they are more than capable of challenging the Celtics, who are 11-5 at TD Garden. With both superstars sidelined, the contest is expected to be closely fought. The prediction leans towards a narrow victory for the home team, with a final score in the range of 120-115 for the Boston Celtics, in a game that will be decided by execution, matchups, and which team's supporting cast rises to the occasion.
