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. Nikola Jokic has returned! But Aaron Gordon is out again, as he will miss 4-6 weeks with a hamstring injury. Christian Braun (ankle injury) has also sustained another setback.
| Position | Starter |
| Point Guard: | Jamal Murray |
| Shooting Guard: | Christian Braun (Injured) |
| Small Forward: | Peyton Watson (Injured) |
| Power Forward: | Spencer Jones |
| 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 faced a challenging stretch as the shooting guard, dealing with nagging injuries that have limited his on-court consistency. Despite the setbacks, he’s worked hard to maintain his conditioning and contribute when available, showing resilience and determination. His ability to stay mentally engaged and support his teammates has been key, even on nights when he can’t give full minutes. If he can stay healthy, Braun’s shooting and defensive versatility could make him a significant impact player for his team.
Shooting Guard: Bruce Brown
Bruce Brown has settled into the role of backup shooting guard, providing energy and defensive versatility off the bench. He’s contributed timely scoring and playmaking, helping maintain the team’s rhythm when the starters rest. His experience and hustle make him a reliable option in key moments.
Small Forward: Cameron Johnson (Injured)
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. Johnson is out indefinitely with a knee injury.
Small Forward: Peyton Watson (Injured)
With Cameron Johnson sidelined, Peyton Watson steps into the starting small forward role, giving the lineup a boost in defensive versatility and athleticism. Watson’s length and energy should help on the perimeter while also opening up transition opportunities. Meanwhile, Spencer Jones shifting back to the bench adds depth to the second unit, where his shooting and steadier pace can help anchor rotations without the pressure of starting minutes. Watson recently suffered his own injury.
Small Forward: Julian Strawther
With Christian Braun injured and Peyton Watson also sidelined, Julian Strawther could be the next man up at small forward for Denver. Strawther’s shooting and off-ball scoring would give the lineup a different look on the wing, especially if the team prioritizes spacing alongside its core players. If the coaching staff leans offense over defense while those injuries linger, Strawther has a real chance to carve out that rotation role.
Power Forward: Aaron Gordon (Injured)
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. Gordon's return softens the blow after Jokic is out for a few weeks. He has rotated between power forward and center.
Power Forward: Spencer Jones
Spencer Jones has taken on the role of backup power forward, bringing athleticism and energy to the second unit. He provides valuable minutes on both ends of the floor, grabbing rebounds and defending multiple positions. Offensively, Jones can stretch the floor with his shooting and make smart cuts to create opportunities. His versatility and effort give the team depth and stability when the starters need a breather.
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 is second in the MVP voting after finishing last season short, 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, Christian Braun, Peyton Watson, Spencer Jones, and Nikola Jokic form the starting lineup. 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. Nikola Jokic recently returned.
Nikola Jokic leads the Nuggets with an average of 29.3 points so far this season. Jamal Murray is the next-best scorer, averaging 25.5 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.
