The Washington Wizards are back in action on Thursday night against the Denver Nuggets in a 7 PM tipoff
Denver Nuggets (29-15) vs. Washington Wizards (10-32)
When / Where: Thursday, Jan, 22, 7:00 p.m. ET / Capital One Arena, Washington, D.C.
How to watch: Monumental Sports Network, League Pass
After a short break this week including practice back in the area on Wednesday, the Washington Wizards return to action on Wednesday night to host the Denver Nuggets.
The two teams met just five days ago with the Nuggets pulling out a six point win in Denver, but Washington will look to capitalize against a short-handed Denver squad once again. Denver is a 5.5-point favorite heading into tipoff with Washington just 5-12 as a home underdog during the 2025-26 season.
Just like the first matchup, Denver will be without star center Nikola Jokic with Christian Braun, Tamer Bates, Cam Johnson and Curtis Jones also all ruled out. Denver also ruled a pair of key players as probable in point guard Jamal Murray (left hip inflammation) and Aaron Gordon (right hamstring strain) to join Tim Hardaway Jr.
One-time Wizard Jonas Valancinuas is ruled as questionable due to a right calf strain, potentially making his 2026 debut to restock to Nuggets' frontcourt with Jokic sidelined. Valancinuas has not played since New Year's Eve and is averaging 8.5 points and 4.7 rebounds across one start and 33 appearances this season.
Of course, Washington's inactive list once against includes Trae Young alongside Tristan Vukcevic, while Marvin Bagley III, Bilal Coulibaly, AJ Johnson and Khris Middleton have all been ruled questionable ahead of tipoff.
UPDATE: both Bilal Coulibaly and Marvin Bagley III are inactive tonight, per the latest availability report.
Thursday will mark the chance for Washington's third home win in 2026 and first since Jan. 6 against Orlando with the Wizards looking to end a seven-game losing streak. Denver, meanwhile, has dropped both games since the first meeting after falling by 23 against Charlotte then eight points against the Lakers over a three-day span.
Kyshawn George will look for a repeat performance tonight after posting 29 points on 50% shooting including five made threes in 32 minutes, one of six players in double figures while fan favorite Justin Champagnie finished just shy of a double-double in 26 minutes. Tre Johnson, meanwhile, struggled shooting in the loss with just his sixth game of the season without a made three while finishing with four points on 1-of-10 shooting from the field.
Following Thursday's game, Washington will travel to face Charlotte on Saturday before opening a five-game homestead into the start of the February slate.