The Denver Nuggets have had a magical season os far, entering Tuesday's contest against the Detroit Pistons with a 31-15 record despite dealing with injuries to multiple key members of their team. However, they've had a rather manageable schedule up until this point, and will start seeing more top teams on their schedule.

Tuesday actually marks the first of two contests between the Nuggets and Pistons, with them playing the second and final contest in less than a week. While the Pistons are looking to keep their spot as the top seed in the East, the Nuggets will be looking to overtake the San Antonio Spurs for the second seed in the West.

However, securing a win on Tuesday won't be easy, with the Nuggets having four of their opening night starters ruled OUT for the game. That includes Christian Braun (ankle), Aaron Gordon (hamstring), Cameron Johnson (knee), and Nikola Jokic (knee).

The most prominent of them is, of course, Jokic, as ESPN insider Shams Charania revealed that he is in the "ramp up phase of his return" and will be reevaluated in around a week. The Nuggets have made do without him, but adding him back to the lineup will be tremendously beneficial with the upcoming schedule.

Additionally, Jamal Murray (hamstring), Jonas Valanciunas (calf), and Peyton Watson (ankle) are all listed as PROBABLE. Regardless of whether they play or not, that's seven of their eight leading scorers listed on the injury report for Tuesday's contest.

The last name listed is Tamar Bates, who is OUT due to left foot surgery.

While the Pistons have dealt with their share of injuries this season, their injury report is rather clean for Tuesday's contest. Three players are listed as OUT due to being with the G League team, that being Isaac Jones, Wendell Moore Jr., and Tolu Smith.

The only other player listed for the Pistons is Caris LeVert, as the veteran guard is OUT due to illness.

The Pistons enter Tuesday night's game with a 4-1 record in their past five contests, with their most recent game being a 139-116 victory over the Sacramento Kings. As for the Nuggets, they pulled off one of their biggest wins of the season against the Milwaukee Bucks, without any of their opening night starters in the second half.

As mentioned, both teams will be looking to improve or hold their position in the standings, and it will be a test for two teams trying to establish themselves as contenders this season.

Tip-off is set for 9:00 p.m. EST.