Struggling Nuggets Aim to Bounce Back Against Rockets

Denver looks to end two-game skid and climb Western Conference standings

Published on Mar. 11, 2026

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The Denver Nuggets, who have been plagued by injuries this season, are hoping to regain their early-season form when they host the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night. The Nuggets started the season 8-2 with their full starting lineup, but have lost two straight games since reuniting that unit last week. Denver is currently sixth in the West, but a win would pull them within a half-game of the third-place Rockets in the standings.

Why it matters

The Nuggets' struggles this season have been largely due to injuries, with all five starters missing time at various points. Getting their full lineup back together is crucial for Denver to make a push up the Western Conference standings and secure a high playoff seed.

The details

The Nuggets' injury woes started in November when Christian Braun and Aaron Gordon went down, and then a month later, Cameron Johnson and Nikola Jokic suffered separate knee injuries. At one point, all five starters were out. Gordon's hamstring issues have been an ongoing problem, as he has missed 40 games this season. However, he is determined to play hard without worrying about re-injury. The Nuggets' recent 6-4 stretch has dropped them to sixth in the West, but they are only 1.5 games behind the third-place Rockets.

  • The Nuggets started the season 8-2 with their full starting lineup.
  • In November, Christian Braun and Aaron Gordon went down with injuries.
  • A month later in December, Cameron Johnson and Nikola Jokic suffered separate knee injuries.
  • At one point, all five Nuggets starters were out due to injuries.
  • The Nuggets and Rockets will play the fourth and final game of their season series on Wednesday night.

The players

Nikola Jokic

The Nuggets' star center leads the team in scoring (28.9 ppg), rebounds (12.5 rpg), and assists (10.3 apg), all of which lead the NBA.

Jamal Murray

The Nuggets' starting point guard is averaging a career-high 25.4 points per game this season.

Aaron Gordon

The Nuggets' starting power forward has missed 40 games this season due to hamstring issues, but is determined to play hard without worrying about re-injury.

Kevin Durant

The Rockets' star forward continues to score at a high level at age 37, leading Houston with 26.1 points per game.

Ime Udoka

The Rockets' head coach is looking for his team to develop a stronger "identity, mentality, toughness" as they push for the playoffs.

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What they’re saying

“I've got to stay on top of it. But I play without worry. When you're worried about an injury out there, that's usually when it happens. So I feel great. My body feels good. It's just the timing and the pace of the game that needs to come back to me now, but I feel good.”

— Aaron Gordon (Field Level Media)

“We have the talent, no doubt. It's identity, mentality, toughness, dog, all of that is missing right now. We'll see if we can get it back by the end of the season.”

— Ime Udoka, Rockets Head Coach (Field Level Media)

“It's tough, man. That's the NBA. We definitely can do a better job individually, one-on-one and just staying in front of the ball, but they're a tough team to guard.”

— Kevin Durant (Field Level Media)

What’s next

The Nuggets will look to even the season series against the Rockets with a win on Wednesday night, which would pull them within a half-game of Houston in the Western Conference standings.

The takeaway

The Nuggets' ability to get their full starting lineup healthy and productive will be crucial for their playoff push, as they look to build on their strong start to the season and climb the Western Conference standings.