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Nikola Jokic Shams: Nikola Joki? (knee) out at least four weeks
Tue, Dec 30, 2025, 5:45 AM
Shams Charania
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Nikola Joki? suffered a hyperextension in his left knee and will be sidelined for at least four weeks.
Analysis: Joki?'s injury is devastating for fantasy managers, as the No. 1 player in fantasy hoops was on an incredible tear. The silver lining is that he avoided a more serious injury, but his absence will cause a monumental hole in Denver's lineup. Jonas Valan?i?nas should get the nod as starting center, but he won't be able to replicate Joker's elite playmaking abilities. Jamal Murray should pick up the slack as a facilitator and scorer, while guys like Tim Hardaway Jr. and Bruce Brown should be leaned on more as well. All three of Valan?i?nas, THJ and Brown are worth picking up, though it's still unclear what Denver will look like without its three-time MVP. |
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Tim Hardaway Tim Hardaway Jr. finishes defeat with 16 points
Mon, Dec 29, 2025, 4:24 PM
Tim Hardaway Jr. accounted for 16 points (6-of-13 FGs, 2-of-3 FTs), three rebounds, two assists and two three-pointers in Monday's loss to the Heat.
Analysis: Hardaway has scored at least 16 points in five straight games, moving into the starting lineup for the last four. With Nikola Joki? injuring his left knee, the Nuggets played the second half without four starters. While Hardaway can be a mixed bag offensively, he may be worth picking up in some 12-team leagues for at least the remainder of Week 11 due to the injuries. |
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Jonas Valanciunas Jonas Valan?i?nas plays 16 minutes vs. Miami
Mon, Dec 29, 2025, 4:24 PM
Jonas Valan?i?nas finished Monday's loss to the Heat with six points (3-of-3 FGs), four rebounds, one assist and one blocked shot.
Analysis: While the overall minutes tally for Valan?i?nas was modest, he played 11 of those 16 minutes after halftime. The Nuggets were without Nikola Joki?, who suffered a left knee injury during the final seconds of the first half. If Denver has to play without its three-time MVP, Valan?i?nas will likely move into the starting lineup. More should be learned about the severity of Joki?'s injury on Tuesday. |
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Jamal Murray Jamal Murray records 20 points, 11 assists Monday
Mon, Dec 29, 2025, 4:23 PM
Jamal Murray notched 20 points (9-of-21 FGs), six rebounds, 11 assists, one steal and two three-pointers in Monday's loss to the Heat.
Analysis: Murray has recorded a double-double in three of his last four games, and his role became much more critical during Monday's defeat. If the Nuggets are forced to play without Nikola Joki?, who injured his left knee during the second quarter, Murray will become the focal point of the offense. Denver continues its road trip on Wednesday in Toronto; more should be learned about the severity of its star center's injury on Tuesday. |
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Nikola Jokic Nikola Joki? (knee) will not return Monday vs. MIA
Mon, Dec 29, 2025, 3:16 PM
Sam Amick
Nikola Joki? (knee) will not return to Monday's game against the Heat.
Analysis: After hyperextending his left knee late in the second quarter of Monday's game, Joki? has officially been ruled out. While it's unlikely to be another update from the team before the center is further examined by team doctors, an extended absence would have a seismic impact on the Nuggets' rotation and fantasy basketball. Jonas Valan?i?nas entered the lineup to begin the third quarter, and he would be the replacement in the starting five if Joki? misses time. The three-time MVP finished with 21 points, five rebounds, eight assists and one three-pointer in 19 minutes. |
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Nikola Jokic Nikola Joki? (knee) questionable to return Monday
Mon, Dec 29, 2025, 2:57 PM
Denver Nuggets
Nikola Joki? (knee) is questionable to return to Monday's game against the Heat.
Analysis: Joki? hyperextended his left knee when teammate Spencer Jones stepped on the center's foot while playing defense late in the second quarter. The three-time MVP limped back to the locker room and has not returned to the bench. Jonas Valan?i?nas has replaced Joki? in the lineup to begin the third quarter. |
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Nikola Jokic Joki? records monster 34/21/12 triple-double
Sat, Dec 27, 2025, 3:52 PM
Nikola Joki? amassed 34 points (11-of-22 FGs, 12-of-13 FTs), 21 rebounds, 12 assists and one steal over 38 points over 38 minutes during Saturday's loss to the Magic.
Analysis: On the heels of a historic 56-point, 16-rebound, 15-assist triple-double earlier this week against the Timberwolves, Joki? finished the first half just three assists shy of a triple-double and accomplished the feat by the end of the third quarter. The 30-year-old generational talent reached the 30-point plateau for the 13th time with a floater in the final two minutes. He sank a pair of free throws in the final seconds to put Denver ahead momentarily in the back-and-forth affair. Joki? leads the NBA in rebounds (12.4) and assists (11.1) and ranks fifth in scoring (29.9) through 31 games. Unreal. The Nuggets are back in action on Monday when they open a four-game week on the road against the Heat. |
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Jamal Murray Murray scores 24 points in loss to Magic
Sat, Dec 27, 2025, 3:48 PM
Jamal Murray notched 24 points (9-of-21 FGs, 4-of-4 FTs), five rebounds and three assists over 36 minutes during Saturday's loss to the Magic.
Analysis: Murray shot the lights out in the first half, draining 7-of-13, including 2-of-5 from beyond the arc, to finish with a game-high 16 points. He hit a driving floater with 37 seconds left to put Denver back in front but wound up missing a fadeaway at the buzzer. The 28-year-old guard has been excellent of late, averaging 28.6 points, 4.1 rebounds, 6.7 assists, 0.7 assists and 0.1 blocks across seven games over the past two weeks, delivering second-round fantasy value during that span. |
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Tim Hardaway Hardaway notches 20 points in start vs. Magic
Sat, Dec 27, 2025, 3:48 PM
Tim Hardaway Jr. finished with 20 points (6-of-14 FGs, 4-of-4 FTs), four rebounds and two assists over 32 minutes during Saturday's loss to the Magic.
Analysis: Hardaway, who drew the starting assignment with Aaron Gordon (hamstring), Christian Braun (ankle) and Cameron Johnson (knee) out of action, drained a go-ahead three-pointer with just over two minutes left in regulation to put the Nuggets back in front during a back-and-forth affair. The 33-year-old journeyman has scored at least 19 points in four consecutive games, offering some appeal for fantasy managers in deeper leagues. |
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Nikola Jokic A Christmas Miracle: Joki? posts 56/16/15 line
Thu, Dec 25, 2025, 7:58 PM
Nikola Joki? led the Nuggets with 56 points (15-of-21 FGs, 22-of-23 FTs), 16 rebounds, 15 assists, two blocks, four three-pointers and five turnovers in a 142-138 win over the Timberwolves on Thursday.
Analysis: The stars shine bright on Christmas Day, so it shouldn't be surprising that Joki? got off to a dominant start to this game. He finished the first quarter with 18 points, five rebounds and four assists, which led to him making history by the end of the night. He became the first player in NBA history to finish with at least 55 points, 15 rebounds and 15 assists in a game. 18 of his points came in the extra frame to secure the win on Christmas Day. Joki? has once again been the best player in fantasy basketball, but even he won't be able to replicate this performance. This was otherworldly. |
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Jamal Murray Jamal Murray scores 35 points on nine triples
Thu, Dec 25, 2025, 7:54 PM
Jamal Murray lit up the Timberwolves with 35 points (12-of-32 FGs), two rebounds, 10 assists, one block and nine three-pointers on Thursday.
Analysis: Murray's breakout season continued with another strong performance in this game. He had at least 30 points for the ninth time this season, with six of those coming over his last 10 games. This was also his second straight 30-point double-double, and he fell one three-pointer shy of matching his season high. Murray's progress this season can be overshadowed by Nikola Jokic's dominance, but he has provided first-round value this season and should be considered one of the premier options in fantasy basketball for the remainder of the season. |
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Tim Hardaway THJ scored 19 points as starter vs. Minnesota
Thu, Dec 25, 2025, 7:52 PM
Tim Hardaway Jr. started on Thursday and contributed 19 points (7-of-15 FGs), four rebounds, one block and three three-pointers against the Timberwolves.
Analysis: In Denver's first game without Cameron Johnson (knee), THJ slid into the starting unit. He provided floor spacing and buckets, which is what he will continue to do as long as he is starting. Aaron Gordon (hamstring) and Christian Braun (ankle) will likely return long before Johnson, which could impact THJ's place in the lineup. However, he can be considered a decent streaming option in points leagues, though he has never been a consistent producer. |
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Tim Hardaway DEN starts Murray, Hardaway, Watson, Jones, Joki?
Thu, Dec 25, 2025, 4:09 PM
Denver Nuggets
Jamal Murray, Tim Hardaway Jr., Peyton Watson, Spencer Jones and Nikola Joki? will start Thursday's game against the Timberwolves.
Analysis: Thursday's game is the first for Denver since losing Cameron Johnson to a right knee injury during Tuesday's loss to the Mavericks. He'll be replaced in the lineup by Hardaway, whose fantasy ceiling is raised with the move into the starting lineup. |
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Jonas Valanciunas Jonas Valan?i?nas (illness) available Thursday
Thu, Dec 25, 2025, 3:35 PM
NBA Injury Report
Jonas Valan?i?nas (illness) is available for Thursday's game against the Timberwolves.
Analysis: Valan?i?nas was initially probable for Thursday's game, so the status upgrade was expected. He'll occupy his usual role as Nikola Joki?'s backup, a spot that offers limited fantasy value at best. |
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Jonas Valanciunas Jonas Valan?i?nas (illness) probable Thursday
Thu, Dec 25, 2025, 8:23 AM
NBA Injury Report
Jonas Valan?i?nas (illness) is probable for Thursday's game against the Timberwolves.
Analysis: Valan?i?nas was dealing with an illness ahead of Denver's last two games but ultimately filled his usual role as Nikola Joki?'s backup. The probable tag suggests that the veteran center will be able to take on those responsibilities on Thursday night. |
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Cameron Johnson Shams: Johnson (knee) to miss at least 4-6 weeks
Thu, Dec 25, 2025, 8:17 AM
Shams Charania
ESPN's Shams Charania reports that Cameron Johnson (knee) will be re-evaluated in four to six weeks.
Analysis: Johnson hyperextended his right knee during Tuesday's loss to the Mavericks and was diagnosed with a bone bruise. With Christian Braun and Aaron Gordon still out, the Nuggets will be down three starters for the foreseeable future. Johnson's absence opens the door for Bruce Brown and Tim Hardaway Jr. to step up. While the latter is mainly a three-point specialist, the former can be more useful to fantasy managers needing production across the board. |
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Cameron Johnson Cameron Johnson (knee) to miss âsome time'
Wed, Dec 24, 2025, 9:59 AM
Shams Charania
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, Cameron Johnson has been diagnosed with a bone bruise in his right knee and is âexpected to miss some time.â
Analysis: Johnson's injury will open up additional playing time for the likes of Bruce Brown and Tim Hardaway Jr. Brown and THJ are both worth adding off the waiver wire, though Brown offers more across-the-board production compared to Hardaway Jr.'s skillset as a three-point specialist. |
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Tim Hardaway THJ chips in 23 points, seven triples off bench
Tue, Dec 23, 2025, 6:05 PM
Tim Hardaway Jr. provided a boost off the bench with 23 points (8-of-13 FGs), two rebounds, one assist and seven three-pointers against the Mavericks on Tuesday.
Analysis: Hardaway has put together back-to-back strong games off the bench. He's typically a streaky shooter, but after scoring 21 points on six triples on Monday, he matched his season high for points and three-pointers in this one. Cameron Johnson injured his knee in this game, which could open up a starting spot for THJ if Johnson ends up missing time. If it doesn't, it will at least open up more minutes and shots for him. However, he doesn't contribute much value in other categories, which limits his fantasy impact. |
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Jamal Murray Jamal Murray finishes with 31/7/14 line vs. Dallas
Tue, Dec 23, 2025, 5:55 PM
Jamal Murray lit up the Mavericks with 31 points (12-of-21 FGs), seven rebounds, 14 assists, one steal and three three-pointers in a 131-130 loss on Tuesday.
Analysis: Murray is enjoying the best season of his career, and that continued in this game. He set a new season high for assists, and he has hit at least three triples in five straight games. Murray is averaging career highs for points, rebounds, assists and three-pointers per game while also having the most efficient shooting season of his career. He certainly has a strong case to be named to his first All-Star Game this season. |
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Nikola Jokic Joki? pours in 29/7/14/3 with five triples
Tue, Dec 23, 2025, 5:44 PM
Nikola Joki? stuffed the stat sheet on Tuesday with 29 points (12-of-22 FGs), seven rebounds, 14 assists, three steals and five three-pointers against the Mavericks.
Analysis: Joki? didn't get enough rebounds for a second straight double-double, but he was still able to supply his typical monster statistical impact. He had a chance to get to 15 assists by kicking the ball out to Peyton Watson in the corner in the closing seconds of the game, but his three-point attempt rimmed out. Still, it was another dominant performance from Joki?, and he'll look to keep it going against the Timberwolves on Christmas Day. |
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