The Denver Nuggets will once again be without their centerpiece. Nikola Jokic has been ruled out for tonight’s game against the Washington Wizards, extending his absence to 13 straight contests as he continues to recover from a left knee bone bruise. Denver has held firm near the top of the Western Conference without him, but every game without the two-time MVP remains a test of depth, discipline, and identity.

There is good news: Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, and Tim Hardaway Jr. are all listed as probable. The Nuggets, 29-15 and second in the Northwest Division, have managed a 7-5 record in games Jokic has missed this season. That resilience is about to be tested again.

Nuggets injury report: Jokic still out, stars probable

The team’s update was clear: “Nikola Jokic will not play when the Denver Nuggets face the Washington Wizards on January 22, 2026. The Denver center remains out with a left knee bone bruise, extending his absence to 13 straight games.” Jokic hurt his knee on December 29 against Miami after a hyperextension. Imaging confirmed a bone bruise and no ligament damage, and he’s expected to be reevaluated around January 30.

The official NBA injury report at 02:45 PM on Jan. 22 listed the following updates for Denver: Aaron Gordon probable (right hamstring strain), Tim Hardaway Jr. probable (right knee contusion), Christian Braun out (left ankle sprain), Tamar Bates out (left foot surgery), Cameron Johnson out (right knee bone bruise). Jamal Murray is also probable with left hip inflammation. As the report summarized: “Aaron Gordon – PROBABLE (right hamstring strain) Tim Hardaway Jr. – PROBABLE (right knee contusion) Jamal Murray – PROBABLE (left hip inflammation).”

“Thirteen straight without Jokic and they’re still winning — that’s coaching and depth.”

Jamal Murray’s status and role vs. Wizards

Murray’s availability swings Denver’s ceiling on any given night. He’s averaging 23.9 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 6.9 assists with 3.2 made threes per game. When Jokic sits, Murray becomes the engine and the closer. His left hip inflammation has been managed, and the probable tag suggests the Nuggets expect him to go, provided pregame checks are clean.

Tim Hardaway Jr.’s shooting is also key. He is averaging 15.4 points and 3.2 threes per game. With Joker out, those spot-up looks and quick-trigger threes help Denver keep the floor spaced. Aaron Gordon’s probable status matters on both ends; even while nursing a hamstring strain, his cutting and defense bring balance to the starting group.

Next-man-up: Peyton Watson and the supporting cast

One bright spot in Jokic’s absence has been Peyton Watson. He’s averaging 16.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.9 assists, plus 1.6 threes. That’s the kind of two-way production Denver needs to survive this stretch. The Nuggets have also leaned into more minutes for Bruce Brown and Zeke Nnaji, a pivot that has kept the rotation athletic and active while staying organized on defense.

“Watson looks like a real piece — length, energy, and no fear in big minutes.”

Who is out: Braun, Johnson, and Bates

Wing depth takes a hit tonight. Christian Braun is out with a left ankle sprain, Cameron Johnson is out with a right knee bone bruise, and Tamar Bates remains out following left foot surgery. That puts more responsibility on the rotation guards and forwards to cover minutes, defend multiple positions, and rebound as a group.

This is where Denver’s system matters. Without Jokic’s playmaking hub, the Nuggets rely on clean execution, ball movement, and quick decision-making. They keep the pace manageable, hunt smart matchups, and try not to turn the ball over. They’ve done it well enough to stay 7-5 without the big man — a number that speaks to the roster’s buy-in.

Jonas Valanciunas update: size could swing the matchup

There’s one more variable: Jonas Valanciunas is questionable with a right calf strain. His presence would give Denver added size, screening, and rim protection — a big deal on a night without Jokic. As one internal read put it, “If the Nuggets get Valanciunas back and Murray, Gordon, and Hardaway Jr. are all able to suit up, they are a much more dangerous team.”

If Valanciunas plays, he eats space in the paint, clears defensive boards, and sets massive screens that free shooters. If he doesn’t, Denver will again piece together center minutes and count on team rebounding to finish stops.

“If JV suits up, Denver’s size and spacing make a lot more sense without Jokic.”

Denver vs. Washington: what to watch

This is a table-setting game for the Nuggets as they try to keep pace atop the West. Denver’s formula without Jokic is clear: defend without fouling, rebound as a group, and let Murray organize the offense. Washington will try to speed the game up and force Denver into tough shots late in the clock. The Nuggets’ response has to be simple basketball — multiple passes, strong screens, and good spacing around the ball.

• Murray’s rhythm: Does he look comfortable exploding off that left hip early?
• Perimeter shooting: Can Hardaway Jr. and Watson stack enough threes to open the lane?
• Gordon’s burst: Watch his cuts and vertical pop as signs the hamstring is cooperating.
• Bench lift: Bruce Brown’s activity and Zeke Nnaji’s minutes at the five are swing factors.
• Valanciunas decision: If he plays, Denver’s rim protection and screen game improve.

Big picture: the Jokic timeline and Denver’s push

Jokic’s knee remains the headline, but the timeline points to clarity soon. With no ligament damage and a reevaluation expected around January 30, Denver is focused on banking wins and staying healthy. That they’re 29-15 while navigating injuries is a credit to coach and roster. The path is not flashy. It is steady, simple, and effective.

Tonight, the Nuggets don’t need to reinvent who they are. They need to keep doing the little things right, hold the line on defense, and let their probable trio — Murray, Gordon, and Hardaway Jr. — carry enough of the scoring load. Whether Valanciunas returns might shape the look, but the mission is the same: stack another win, and keep the runway clear for when Jokic comes back.

In a season defined by flexibility, Denver’s final injury report tells you everything and nothing. Jokic is out — again — but the standard holds. If the Nuggets keep winning without their star, the rest of the West will take notice when he finally returns.