Denver Nuggets vs Washington Wizards Prediction | 01.22.26

Denver Nuggets vs Washington Wizards Prediction, Odds & NBA Picks | 22-01-2026

As the NBA regular season progresses, the Denver Nuggets (29-15) travel to Capital One Arena in Washington to face the Washington Wizards (10-32) on January 22, 2026, at 7:00 PM EST. This matchup, while seemingly lopsided on paper, carries significant intrigue due to critical injury situations impacting both rosters, setting the stage for a potentially unpredictable contest.

Denver Nuggets vs Washington Wizards Matchup Preview

Denver Nuggets Key Stats & Trends

The Denver Nuggets, despite their impressive record, are navigating a challenging period marked by key injuries. Their offense, typically orchestrated by their MVP, will lean heavily on other playmakers. Without Nikola Jokic, the scoring burden shifts significantly to players like Jamal Murray, who leads the team with 26.0 PPG and 7.4 APG. His all-around impact is evident in his rating of 26.0 PPG, 4.3 RPG, 7.4 APG, 1.0 SPG, 0.3 BPG. Rebounding duties will be crucial, with Peyton Watson stepping up to grab 5.0 RPG. Denver’s depth will be tested, particularly in their frontcourt and defensive schemes, without their anchor.

Injury Report Denver Nuggets

• Aaron Gordon (Day-to-day): Gordon is probable for Thursday’s game against the Wizards with a strained right hamstring.
• Jamal Murray (Day-to-day): Murray (left hip) is probable for Thursday’s game against the Wizards.
• Jonas Valanciunas (Out): Valanciunas (calf) is questionable for Thursday’s game against the Wizards.
• Tim Hardaway Jr. (Day-to-day): Hardaway is probable for Thursday’s game against the Wizards with a right knee bruise.
• Christian Braun (Out): Braun (ankle) will not play Thursday against the Wizards.
• Cameron Johnson (Out): Johnson (knee) has yet to progress to contact work and remains out indefinitely, Vic Lombardi of Altitude Sports reports.
• Nikola Jokic (Out): Jokic (knee) has resumed on-court workouts, ESPN’s Shams Charania reports.
• Tamar Bates (Out): The Nuggets announced Monday that Bates (foot) will be re-evaluated in 12 weeks.

Washington Wizards Key Stats & Trends

The Washington Wizards continue to rebuild, focusing on the development of their young talent. In the absence of their star guard, the team’s offense is centered around the promising big man, Alex Sarr, who leads the Wizards with 17.2 PPG and 7.4 RPG. Sarr also provides significant rim protection with 2.2 BPG, showcasing his potential as a two-way force. Playmaking responsibilities fall to Kyshawn George, who averages 4.9 APG. The Wizards’ young core will need to capitalize on their home-court advantage and the Nuggets’ injury woes to compete.

Injury Report Washington Wizards

• Marvin Bagley III (Day-to-day): Bagley is questionable for Thursday’s game against Denver due to an illness.
• Khris Middleton (Day-to-day): Middleton (illness) is questionable for Thursday’s game against Denver.
• Tristan Vukcevic (Out): Vukcevic is out for Thursday’s game against the Nuggets with a strained left hamstring.
• Bilal Coulibaly (Out): Coulibaly (back) is questionable for Thursday’s game versus Denver.
• AJ Johnson (Day-to-day): Johnson is questionable for Thursday’s game against the Nuggets with an illness.
• Cam Whitmore (Out): Whitmore has begun the recovery process for a diagnosed venous condition and he will miss the remainder of the 2025-26 season.
• Trae Young (Out): Young (knee, quadriceps) will be re-evaluated following the mid-February All-Star break, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.

Denver Nuggets vs Washington Wizards Prediction & Best Bet

This game presents a classic trap scenario for the Nuggets. While their record is superior, the absence of MVP Nikola Jokic is a monumental blow, stripping them of their primary playmaker and offensive hub. Although Jamal Murray is probable, he alone cannot replicate Jokic’s unique impact. The Wizards, despite their struggles, are at home and could see key players like Marvin Bagley III and Khris Middleton return from illness. With Trae Young out, their scoring is limited, but Sarr’s presence offers a defensive anchor against a Jokic-less Denver. Given Denver’s significant injuries and the Wizards’ potential to cover at home, our pick is Washington Wizards +5.5 (Spread). Furthermore, with both teams missing their primary offensive engines (Jokic for Denver, Young for Washington), and considering the defensive capabilities of Sarr, scoring will likely be stifled. We predict the total points will be under 229.5.