So you're looking for the nuggets game tonight time? Honestly, if you check the calendar for Thursday, January 15, 2026, you'll see the Ball Arena lights are actually off. The Denver Nuggets aren't playing tonight. They just wrapped up a brutal back-to-back set, and frankly, the guys probably need the sleep. After grinding out a win in Dallas just last night, Michael Malone—or rather David Adelman, who has been steering the ship—has given the team a well-deserved breather before they host Washington on Saturday.
It’s been a weird stretch. If you’ve been following along, you know this isn't the same Nuggets team we saw a few years ago. No Nikola Jokic. No Cam Johnson. It feels like half the roster is in the training room instead of on the hardwood. But somehow, they’re still winning.
When Do the Nuggets Play Next?
Since there is no nuggets game tonight time to worry about, you can go ahead and make other plans. Maybe catch up on some sleep yourself. But if you’re planning your weekend, here is the immediate outlook:
- Next Game: Saturday, Jan 17, 2026
- Opponent: Washington Wizards
- Tip-off: 7:00 PM MST
- Venue: Ball Arena, Denver, CO
The team is currently sitting at 28-13. That’s good for 3rd in a Western Conference that feels like a meat grinder every single night. Even without the big man in the middle, they’ve managed to stay afloat. It’s kind of incredible, actually.
What Happened Last Night in Dallas?
If you missed the action on Wednesday, you missed the Jamal Murray show. Seriously. The man is playing like his hair is on fire. He dropped 33 points on the Mavericks and looked every bit like the All-Star he’s probably going to be this season.
Denver jumped out to a 23-point lead early. It looked like a blowout. Then, as usually happens with this shorthanded roster, the legs got heavy. Dallas made a run, even after their rookie sensation Cooper Flagg went down with an ankle tweak. The Nuggets held on for a 118-109 win. It was their 17th road victory of the year, which leads the entire NBA.
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Think about that for a second. Without the best player in the world (Jokic is still dealing with that left ankle bone bruise), this team is the best road team in basketball. Peyton Watson has been a revelation. He’s gone from a "project" to a guy who can drop 30 on any given Tuesday. Between him and Aaron Gordon's steadying presence, the Nuggets have found a way to survive the injury bug.
The Injury Situation is Basically a Novel
It’s hard to talk about the Nuggets without mentioning the medical report. It’s long.
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Nikola Jokic remains the biggest question mark. The latest word from the team is "optimistic," but they aren't rushing him back. Why would they? The team is winning, and you don't mess with a bone bruise in January.
Then you have Cam Johnson and Jonas Valanciunas both sidelined. It has forced guys like Zeke Nnaji and Bruce Brown into massive roles. Bruce is back in Denver and playing like he never left, which has been a huge emotional lift for the fans at Ball Arena.
Where to Watch When They Return
When Saturday rolls around and you're again looking for the nuggets game tonight time, you’ll want to have your remote ready.
Most games are still landing on Altitude Sports, though the national buzz around Jamal Murray’s "carry job" has ESPN picking them up more often lately. For the local crowd, it's the usual dance with providers. If you’re streaming, Fubo remains the most reliable way to catch the Altitude broadcast without a traditional cable package.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
Since the Nuggets are off tonight, use the time to prep for the second half of the season.
- Check the Standings: Keep an eye on Oklahoma City. They are currently the 1-seed and looking scary, but Denver is only a few games back in the loss column.
- Monitor the Injury Report: Saturday's status for Christian Braun (questionable with an ankle sprain) will be huge for the bench rotation against Washington.
- Vote for Jamal: All-Star voting is in full swing. Given that he's never made an All-Star team, and he's currently carrying a top-3 seed on his back, this is the year the "Blue Arrow" deserves the nod.
- Grab Tickets Early: The upcoming home stand features the Lakers on Jan 20. Those seats are going to disappear fast once people realize Jokic might be back by then.
The Nuggets might be quiet tonight, but the way they've handled this January gauntlet suggests they aren't going anywhere. Enjoy the night off. Saturday will be here soon enough.