Game day in Denver comes with both clarity and caution. As the Nuggets host the Los Angeles Lakers on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, the final injury report paints a busy picture: Nikola Jokic remains out, three key pieces are probable, and the depth chart will again be tested. For a team sitting at 29-14 and second in the Northwest Division, how they navigate health and rotation decisions could swing a marquee matchup that always draws the spotlight.

The headline is simple yet significant. Jokic, dealing with a left knee bone bruise, will not suit up. The two-time MVP resumed on-court work back on January 14, a positive step, but Denver is staying patient. Around him, the medical updates are more encouraging. Jamal Murray (illness/left knee inflammation), Aaron Gordon (right hamstring strain), and Tim Hardaway Jr. (right knee contusion) are all listed as probable and, per the final list, expected to play. That trio’s availability gives Denver shape, shooting, and shot creation — all vital against a Lakers group that still has top-end talent even as it manages its own absences.

Final Nuggets injury report vs. Lakers (Jan. 20, 2026)

Here’s where Denver stands heading into the night:

• Out: Nikola Jokic (left knee bone bruise); Christian Braun (left ankle sprain); Cameron Johnson (right knee bone bruise); Jonas Valanciunas (right calf strain, re-evaluation in approximately four weeks); Tamar Bates (left foot surgery); Curtis Jones (G League two-way); John Tonje (G League two-way).
• Probable and expected to play: Jamal Murray (illness/left knee inflammation); Aaron Gordon (right hamstring strain); Tim Hardaway Jr. (right knee contusion).

Those designations echo widely reported notes such as, “Murray is probable for Tuesday’s game against the Lakers due to an illness and left knee inflammation,” “Gordon (hamstring) is probable,” and “Hardaway is listed as probable … due to a right knee contusion.” The upshot: while the report is long, Denver should have most of its key perimeter creators available.

“If Murray is a go, Denver’s half-court feels steady even without Jokic.”

What the “probable” trio means for Denver’s offense

Murray’s box-score line this season — 23.1 points, 6.8 assists, and 3.0 three-pointers made per game — tells you everything about his importance. He bends defenses with pick-and-roll reads and deep pull-ups. If his knee and energy levels hold, he can organize the offense and keep pace when the game slows down.

Gordon’s value is more subtle but just as necessary: rim pressure, cutting lanes, and the strength to finish through contact. His hamstring has been managed closely; keeping him on the floor unlocks easy points and defensive flexibility.

Hardaway Jr., averaging 15.4 points and 3.2 made threes, gives Denver quick-trigger spacing. His gravity from the corners and above the break is a release valve when the initial action stalls. With Jokic out, every bit of shooting matters.

“Hardaway’s shooting could swing the second unit battle by itself.”

Nikola Jokic still out: how the Nuggets adapt

Jokic’s left knee bone bruise is the central storyline. The positive sign — he resumed on-court work on January 14 — suggests he’s trending the right way. But a bone bruise demands patience, and Denver is protecting its long-term goals. Without him, the Nuggets must simplify: more guard-initiated sets, a faster tempo after stops, and steady diet of two-man actions featuring Murray and Gordon.

Denver can also lean on quick-hit screening to free shooters like Hardaway Jr. and Peyton Watson. Watson’s 16.6 points per game mark a notable step forward; his motor and length play up when the team needs energy and transition buckets.

Depth test continues: who fills the gaps?

The injury list goes beyond Jokic. Wing stopper Christian Braun is out with a left ankle sprain. Cameron Johnson (right knee bone bruise) and Jonas Valanciunas (right calf strain, re-evaluation in four weeks) remove spacing and size from the rotation. Tamar Bates (left foot surgery) remains sidelined, and two-way guards Curtis Jones and John Tonje are with the G League.

That means more minutes pieced together across positions. Expect increased touches for Watson and a committee approach on the glass. Denver will likely try to win the possession game with activity and discipline rather than brute size.

“This feels like a Peyton Watson night — run, defend, and fill the lane.”

Lakers injury update: Austin Reaves out

On the other side, the Lakers will be without Austin Reaves due to a left calf strain. Reaves is a key connector who helps with ball-handling, secondary playmaking, and off-ball spacing. His absence changes the backcourt calculus for Los Angeles and may simplify Denver’s defensive matchups on the perimeter.

By the numbers: form and firepower

• Nuggets record: 29-14, second in the Northwest Division, firmly in the mix near the top of the West.
• Jamal Murray: 23.1 points, 3.7 rebounds, 6.8 assists, 3.0 threes per game.
• Tim Hardaway Jr.: 15.4 points, 3.2 threes per game.
• Peyton Watson: 16.6 points per game.
• Nikola Jokic: 13.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.9 assists per game (out with a left knee bone bruise).

Even with Jokic out, those shot-making numbers from Murray and Hardaway Jr., plus Watson’s growth, give Denver enough firepower if they secure defensive stops and control the three-point line.

Matchup keys: Nuggets vs. Lakers

• Shot creation without Jokic: Can Murray keep the offense organized late in the clock? Gordon’s short-roll reads and Hardaway’s spacing are the helpers.
• Transition game: No Jokic means more pace when possible. Turn rebounds into early offense to avoid grinding half-court possessions.
• Perimeter defense vs. size: Without Braun and Valanciunas, Denver must defend without fouling and keep bodies on the glass.
• Bench minutes: The second unit has swing potential; a hot stretch from Hardaway Jr. or Watson could decide a quarter.

Why this matters now

January can shape April. With a stacked West, every home date is precious for a 29-14 Nuggets team staying in the chase. The goal tonight is simple: bank a win, stay healthy, and keep building habits while Jokic recovers. The final injury report suggests Denver will have enough playmaking and wing scoring to stay on script.

The bigger picture? If Murray, Gordon, and Hardaway Jr. come through clean, Denver’s rotation should stabilize in the short term. And when Jokic eventually returns, the minutes and confidence earned in these stretches can make the group even more resilient.

For now, the message is clear: manage the injuries, trust the depth, and take care of business at home.