What Does the Denver Nuggets Starting Lineup Look Like?
Here's the Nuggets starting 5 lineup at full strength. If all players can remain healthy for the rest of the year, the Nuggets Championship Odds will top among the top choices among NBA teams. These five will attempt to carry the Nuggets to their second title in four seasons. Christian Braun (ankle injury) is out for a while. Aaron Gordon is out 4-6 weeks, meaning Peyton Watson slots in for him, and Spencer Jones takes his place.
| Position | Starter |
| Point Guard: | Jamal Murray |
| Shooting Guard: | Cameron Johnson |
| Small Forward: | Spencer Jones |
| Power Forward: | Peyton Watson |
| Center: | Nikola Jokic |
Point Guard: Jamal Murray
One of the best players ever to come out of Canada, Murray was the seventh overall pick of the 2016 draft out of the University of Kentucky and made the NBA's All-Rookie Second-Team in his first season when he averaged 9.9 points while coming off the bench in 73 of 82 games. Murray finished the 2024-2025 season, averaging 21.4 points while shooting 47.4 percent from the field through 67 games. Staying healthy is the main goal this season, as the Nuggets won their only title when he was running on all cylinders.
Murray may not see the short MVP odds on the bet365 sportsbook in Colorado that a guy like Jokic does, but he's a key component to this Nuggets squad.
Shooting Guard: Christian Braun (Injured)
Christian Braun has stepped into the starting lineup, taking over the shooting guard role last season. Braun was efficient last season, averaging 15.4 points per game while shooting 58% from the field. He will look to make strides this season, as the Nuggets continue to deliver an elite starting lineup. With his injury, Cameron Johnson shifts to shooting guard.
Shooting Guard: Cameron Johnson
The newest addition to the team, Cameron Johnson, comes from the Brooklyn News after the Nuggets traded Michael Porter Jr. for him. Last season, he averaged 18.8 points while shooting 47.5% from the field. He brings experience as the top guy on a team and could become a great complementary player to Jokic and Murray. With Braun's injury, Johnson moves to shooting guard, and Peyton Watson moves into the small forward spot. With Christian Braun’s injury sidelining him, Johnson is temporarily sliding over to shooting guard until Braun returns, giving Denver added scoring punch on the perimeter while Peyton Watson fills in at small forward.
Small Forward: Cameron Johnson
The newest addition to the team, Cameron Johnson, comes from the Brooklyn News after the Nuggets traded Michael Porter Jr. for him. Last season, he averaged 18.8 points while shooting 47.5% from the field. He brings experience as the top guy on a team and could become a great complementary player to Jokic and Murray. With Braun's injury, Johnson moves to shooting guard, and Peyton Watson moves into the small forward spot. With Christian Braun’s injury sidelining him, Johnson is temporarily sliding over to shooting guard until Braun returns, giving Denver added scoring punch on the perimeter while Peyton Watson fills in at power forward.
Small Forward: Spencer Johes
Spencer Jones, the 6’7″ undrafted wing out of Stanford, has slid into the starting small-forward spot for Denver now that Cameron Johnson is holding down the shooting guard role. Though his NBA minutes have been sparse so far, he’s averaged roughly 1.5 points per game in limited action this season. leticism, length, and two-way upside that the Nuggets covet when needing perimeter defense and spacing. At Stanford, he became the school’s all-time leader in made three-pointers, showing a reliable outside stroke that the Nuggets hope can translate into small-sample bursts in Denver. With Jokic anchoring the offense and Johnson supplying instant scoring from the wing, Jones gives Denver a cheaper, hustle-driven option at SF who could carve out a larger role if he continues to grow defensively and knock down open shots.
Power Forward: Aaron Gordon (Out 4-6 Weeks)
Aaron Gordon is now a full-fledged member of the Nuggets and had a memorable moment when he delivered the game-winning dunk against the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 4 of the First Round, which helped swing the momentum of that series. Gordon averaged 14.7 points per game while shooting 53.1% from the field, including 43.6% from the triples. He remains a pivotal member of this team on both sides of the floor.
Power Forward: Peyton Watson
With Aaron Gordon sidelined, Peyton Watson has stepped into the starting power-forward role and shown encouraging flashes of growth. Standing 6′8″ and bringing elite versatility, Watson mixes solid athleticism, defensive length, and improving shooting. In recent games, he’s delivered more consistent production, using his minutes to contribute on both ends: scoring, rebounding, blocking shots, and defending multiple positions. As Denver leans on more of its young core while Gordon recovers, Watson gives them a capable, switchable 4-man who can help maintain floor spacing and defensive energy until the lineup returns to full strength.
Center: Nikola Jokic
Known as "The Joker", the 7-foot Serbian is no joke when it comes to talent, leading the Nuggets to a title a few seasons ago, and also winning the MVP a few seasons ago. Last season, he averaged a triple-double, hitting all the marks, finishing with 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 10.2 assists per game. Jokic currently leads the MVP voting after finishing short last season, and could definitely make a run for it this season if he can continue to post exceptional numbers.
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Who Is the Denver Nuggets’ 6th Man?
For the 2025-26 season, the Nuggets' 6th man is either Bruce Brown or Tim Hardaway Jr. Last season, Brown averaged 24.7 points with the New Orleans Pelicans and 19.6 points per game with the Toronto Raptors. Brown is back in Denver after spending a few seasons away. Meanwhile, Hardaway averaged 11 points per game in 71 games for the Detroit Pistons last season, and is one of the best bench players in the association, giving the Nuggets great depth.
Get to Know the Denver Nuggets Front Office
| General Manager | Ben tenzer (Interim) |
| Head Coach | David Adelman |
| Associate Head Coach | David Adelman |
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Who Is the Denver Nuggets' Head Coach?
David Adelman is the current interim head coach of the Denver Nuggets, who fired longtime coach Michael Malone with three games left in the season. He has spent the past eight years as an assistant coach. Before that, Adelman was an assistant with the Orlando Magic and the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Who Is the Denver Nuggets’ General Manager?
After the Nuggets fired Calvin Booth, they named Ben Tenzer as the Interim GM. He still holds the role with the interim tag.
Denver Nuggets Starting 5 FAQs
Jamal Murray, Cameron Johnson, Spencer Jones, Peyton Watson, and Nikola Jokic form the starting lineup. Peyton Watson, Tim Hardaway, and Bruce Brown are the top reserves, who can fill in anytime the Nuggets need them due to any injuries that they have. Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun are both out with injuries.
Nikola Jokic leads the Nuggets with an average of 29.6points so far this season. Jamal Murray is the next-best scorer, averaging 23.2 points per game, as both continue to lead the Nuggets through the schedule with hopes of another title.
Tim Hardaway Jr. and Bruce Brown can both fill the void of 6th Man of the Year, along with Jonas Valanciunas. All three players have started in the past, and are capable of stepping up when a starter is down, or when the bench needs to score.
Point Guard: Tim Hardaway Jr.
Hardaway is the newest 6th Man of the Year candidate, and will be counted on to help lead the bench when the starters need rest. Last season, he averaged 11 points per game in 71 games for the Detroit Pistons.
Some of the best Nuggets players ever include David Thompson, Dan Issel, Danny Schayes, Alex English, Dikembe Mutombo, Fat Lever, Carmelo Anthony, Bobby Jones, Kiki VanDeWeghe, Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, and, of course, Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray.
Kroenke Sports and Entertainment, owned by E. Stanley Kroenke is the majority owner of the Nuggets and has been the team's owner for over three decades, turning the team into a contender while building the fanbase and popularity of the team.
Josh Kroenke, son of E. Stanley Kroenke. He is currently in his 11th season as the President of the Denver Nuggets, and has played a major part in the team's revival over the past five years, and building a contender.
Author
Robert B. Hayek has been writing about sports for over a decade and is currently a member of the Gambling.com Group team. In his spare time, he runs the largest sports meetup group in Orange County, CA, actively participating in every sport imaginable. He is also a published author of five thriller novels, all available on Amazon.
