2025–26 Denver Nuggets season

2025–26 Denver Nuggets season
Head coachDavid Adelman
PresidentJosh Kroenke
General managerBen Tenzer
OwnersAnn Walton Kroenke
ArenaBall Arena
Results
Record20–7 (.741)
PlaceDivision: 2nd (Northwest)
Conference: 2nd (Western)

Stats at Basketball Reference
Local media
TelevisionAltitude Sports and Entertainment
RadioKKSE

The 2025–26 Denver Nuggets season is the 50th season for the franchise in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The season marked the first since the 2014–15 season without Michael Malone as head coach, following his dismissal on April 8, 2025.[1] On May 22, the Nuggets hired David Adelman as their full-time head coach.[2] The season also marks the first with Ben Tenzer serving as executive vice president of basketball operations and Jon Wallace as executive vice president of player personnel, jointly succeeding Calvin Booth, who was relieved of his duties as general manager on April 8, 2025.

Draft

The Nuggets entered the 2025 NBA draft without holding any selections, making them the only team to begin the draft without a pick. However, by the conclusion of the draft, they were joined by the Houston Rockets, whose pending trades—most notably the trade to acquire Kevin Durant from the Phoenix Suns—were expected to become official by July 6.[3][4]

Roster

Players Coaches
Pos. No. Player Height Weight DOB From
G 7 Tamar Bates (TW) 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 2003-02-21 Missouri
G 0 Christian Braun  6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 2001-04-17 Kansas
G/F 11 Bruce Brown 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 202 lb (92 kg) 1996-08-15 Miami (FL)
F 32 Aaron Gordon 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1995-09-16 Arizona
G/F 10 Tim Hardaway Jr. 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1992-03-16 Michigan
F 14 DaRon Holmes II 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 2002-09-15 Dayton
F 23 Cameron Johnson 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 210 lb (95 kg) 1996-03-03 North Carolina
C 15 Nikola Jokić 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 284 lb (129 kg) 1995-02-19 Serbia
G 1 Curtis Jones (TW) 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m) 195 lb (88 kg) 2001-10-04 Iowa State
F 21 Spencer Jones (TW) 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 2001-06-14 Stanford
G 27 Jamal Murray 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1997-02-23 Kentucky
F/C 22 Zeke Nnaji 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 2001-01-09 Arizona
G 24 Jalen Pickett 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 202 lb (92 kg) 1999-10-22 Penn State
G 3 Julian Strawther  6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 2002-04-18 Gonzaga
F 5 Hunter Tyson 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 2000-06-13 Clemson
C 17 Jonas Valančiūnas 6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 265 lb (120 kg) 1992-05-06 Lithuania
G 8 Peyton Watson 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 200 lb (91 kg) 2002-09-11 UCLA
Head coach
Assistant(s)

Legend
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • (GL) On assignment to G League
  • (TW) Two-way affiliate player
  • Injured

Roster
Updated: November 19, 2025

Standings

Division

Northwest DivisionWLPCTGBHomeRoadDivGP
Oklahoma City Thunder253.89313‍–‍112‍–‍25–228
Denver Nuggets207.7414.58‍–‍512‍–‍22–127
Minnesota Timberwolves1810.6437.010‍–‍58‍–‍54–328
Portland Trail Blazers1216.42913.05‍–‍67‍–‍103–328
Utah Jazz1017.37014.57‍–‍93‍–‍80–527

Conference

Western Conference
#TeamWLPCTGBGP
1Oklahoma City Thunder *253.89328
2San Antonio Spurs *207.7414.527
3Denver Nuggets207.7414.527
4Los Angeles Lakers *198.7045.527
5Houston Rockets178.6806.525
6Minnesota Timberwolves1810.6437.028
7Phoenix Suns1513.53610.028
8Golden State Warriors1415.48311.529
9Memphis Grizzlies1315.46412.028
10Portland Trail Blazers1216.42913.028
11Utah Jazz1017.37014.527
12Dallas Mavericks1118.37914.529
13Los Angeles Clippers721.25018.028
14New Orleans Pelicans722.24118.529
15Sacramento Kings622.21419.028

Game log

Preseason

2025 preseason game log
Total: 3–2 (Home: 1–1; Road: 2–1)
Preseason: 3–2 (home: 1–1; road: 2–1)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
1 October 4 Minnesota L 116–126 Gordon, Jokić (14) Nikola Jokić (5) Jamal Murray (5) Pechanga Arena
12,096
0–1
2 October 6 @ Toronto W 112–108 Christian Braun (19) Peyton Watson (7) Nikola Jokić (5) Rogers Arena
18,654
1–1
3 October 12 @ L.A. Clippers W 102–94 Aaron Gordon (18) Nikola Jokić (9) Jokić, Valančiūnas (6) Intuit Dome
13,951
2–1
4 October 14 Chicago W 124–117 Jamal Murray (30) Nikola Jokić (8) Nikola Jokić (8) Ball Arena
16,567
3–1
5 October 17 @ Oklahoma City L 91–94 Peyton Watson (15) Johnson, Watson (6) Johnson, Pickett, Watson (4) Paycom Center
0
3–2
2025–26 preseason schedule

Regular season

2025–26 game log
Total: 20–7 (Home: 8–5; Road: 12–2)
October: 3–2 (home: 2–0; road: 1–2)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
1 October 23 @ Golden State L 131–137 (OT) Aaron Gordon (50) Nikola Jokić (13) Jokić, Murray (10) Chase Center
18,064
0–1
2 October 25 Phoenix W 133–111 Jamal Murray (23) Nikola Jokić (14) Nikola Jokić (15) Ball Arena
20,025
1–1
3 October 27 @ Minnesota W 127–114 Jamal Murray (43) Nikola Jokić (19) Nikola Jokić (10) Target Center
14,018
2–1
4 October 29 New Orleans W 122–88 Nikola Jokić (21) Nikola Jokić (12) Nikola Jokić (10) Ball Arena
19,533
3–1
5 October 31 @ Portland L 107–109 Jamal Murray (22) Nikola Jokić (14) Nikola Jokić (9) Moda Center
16,382
3–2
November: 11–3 (home: 4–3; road: 7–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
6 November 3 Sacramento W 130–124 Nikola Jokić (34) Gordon, Jokić, Murray (7) Nikola Jokić (14) Ball Arena
19,653
4–2
7 November 5 Miami W 122–112 Nikola Jokić (33) Nikola Jokić (15) Nikola Jokić (16) Ball Arena
19,862
5–2
8 November 7 Golden State W 129–104 Nikola Jokić (26) Nikola Jokić (9) Nikola Jokić (9) Ball Arena
19,969
6–2
9 November 8 Indiana W 117–100 Nikola Jokić (32) Nikola Jokić (14) Nikola Jokić (14) Ball Arena
19,954
7–2
10 November 11 @ Sacramento W 122–108 Nikola Jokić (35) Nikola Jokić (15) Jamal Murray (8) Golden 1 Center
15,106
8–2
11 November 12 @ L.A. Clippers W 130–116 Nikola Jokić (55) Nikola Jokić (12) Nikola Jokić (6) Intuit Dome
17,927
9–2
12 November 15 @ Minnesota W 123–112 Nikola Jokić (27) Nikola Jokić (12) Jamal Murray (12) Target Center
18,978
10–2
13 November 17 Chicago L 127–130 Nikola Jokić (36) Nikola Jokić (18) Nikola Jokić (13) Ball Arena
19,951
10–3
14 November 19 @ New Orleans W 125–118 Peyton Watson (32) Peyton Watson (12) Nikola Jokić (12) Smoothie King Center
16,484
11–3
15 November 21 @ Houston W 112–109 Nikola Jokić (34) Jokić, Watson (10) Jamal Murray (10) Toyota Center
18,108
12–3
16 November 22 Sacramento L 123–128 Nikola Jokić (44) Nikola Jokić (13) Jamal Murray (9) Ball Arena
19,893
12–4
17 November 24 @ Memphis W 125–115 Jamal Murray (29) Nikola Jokić (10) Nikola Jokić (16) FedExForum
15,519
13–4
18 November 28 San Antonio L 136–139 Jamal Murray (37) Nikola Jokić (9) Nikola Jokić (10) Ball Arena
19,936
13–5
19 November 29 @ Phoenix W 130–112 Nikola Jokić (26) Jokić, Jones (9) Brown, Jokić (10) Mortgage Matchup Center
17,071
14–5
December: 6–2 (home: 2–2; road: 4–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
20 December 1 Dallas L 121–131 Nikola Jokić (29) Nikola Jokić (20) Nikola Jokić (13) Ball Arena
19,587
14–6
21 December 3 @ Indiana W 135–120 Jamal Murray (52) Nikola Jokić (8) Nikola Jokić (13) Gainbridge Fieldhouse
15,578
15–6
22 December 5 @ Atlanta W 134–133 Nikola Jokić (40) Nikola Jokić (9) Jamal Murray (12) State Farm Arena
16,149
16–6
23 December 7 @ Charlotte W 115–106 Jamal Murray (34) Nikola Jokić (9) Nikola Jokić (11) Spectrum Center
18,416
17–6
24 December 11 @ Sacramento W 136–105 Nikola Jokić (36) Nikola Jokić (12) Jamal Murray (9) Golden 1 Center
16,307
18–6
25 December 15 Houston W 128–125 (OT) Nikola Jokić (39) Nikola Jokić (15) Nikola Jokić (10) Ball Arena
19,596
19–6
26 December 18 Orlando W 126–115 Jamal Murray (32) Johnson, Jokić (11) Nikola Jokić (13) Ball Arena
19,731
20–6
27 December 20 Houston L 101–115 Nikola Jokić (25) Bruce Brown (12) Jamal Murray (7) Ball Arena
19,955
20–7
28 December 22 Utah Ball Arena
29 December 23 @ Dallas American Airlines Center
30 December 25 Minnesota Ball Arena
31 December 27 @ Orlando Kia Center
32 December 29 @ Miami Kaseya Center
33 December 31 @ Toronto Scotiabank Arena
January: 0–0 (home: 0–0; road: 0–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
34 January 2 @ Cleveland Rocket Arena
35 January 4 @ Brooklyn Barclays Center
36 January 5 @ Philadelphia Xfinity Mobile Arena
37 January 7 @ Boston TD Garden
38 January 9 Atlanta Ball Arena
39 January 11 Milwaukee Ball Arena
40 January 13 @ New Orleans Smoothie King Center
41 January 14 @ Dallas American Airlines Center
42 January 17 Washington Ball Arena
43 January 18 Charlotte Ball Arena
44 January 20 L.A. Lakers Ball Arena
45 January 22 @ Washington Capital One Arena
46 January 23 @ Milwaukee Fiserv Forum
47 January 25 @ Memphis FedExForum
48 January 27 Detroit Ball Arena
49 January 29 Brooklyn Ball Arena
50 January 30 L.A. Clippers Ball Arena
February: 0–0 (home: 0–0; road: 0–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
51 February 1 Oklahoma City Ball Arena
52 February 3 @ Detroit Little Caesars Arena
53 February 4 @ New York Madison Square Garden
54 February 7 @ Chicago United Center
55 February 9 Cleveland Ball Arena
56 February 11 Memphis Ball Arena
All-Star Game
57 February 19 @ L.A. Clippers Intuit Dome
58 February 20 @ Portland Moda Center
59 February 22 @ Golden State Chase Center
60 February 25 Boston Ball Arena
61 February 27 @ Oklahoma City Paycom Center
March: 0–0 (home: 0–0; road: 0–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
62 March 1 Minnesota Ball Arena
63 March 2 @ Utah Delta Center
64 March 5 L.A. Lakers Ball Arena
65 March 6 New York Ball Arena
66 March 9 @ Oklahoma City Paycom Center
67 March 11 Houston Ball Arena
68 March 12 @ San Antonio Frost Bank Center
69 March 14 @ L.A. Lakers Crypto.com Arena
70 March 17 Philadelphia Ball Arena
71 March 20 Toronto Ball Arena
72 March 22 Portland Ball Arena
73 March 24 @ Phoenix Mortgage Matchup Center
74 March 25 Dallas Ball Arena
75 March 27 Utah Ball Arena
76 March 29 Golden State Ball Arena
April: 0–0 (home: 0–0; road: 0–0)
Game Date Team Score High points High rebounds High assists Location
Attendance
Record
77 April 1 @ Utah Delta Center
78 April 4 San Antonio Ball Arena
79 April 6 Portland Ball Arena
80 April 8 Memphis Ball Arena
81 April 10 Oklahoma City Ball Arena
82 April 12 @ San Antonio Frost Bank Center
2025–26 season schedule

NBA Cup

The Nuggets will compete in Group C of the Western Conference, which includes the Golden State Warriors, the Houston Rockets, the Portland Trail Blazers and the San Antonio Spurs.[5]

West Group C

Pos Team Pld W L PF PA PD Qualification
1 San Antonio Spurs 4 3 1 483 457 +26 Advanced to knockout rounds
2 Denver Nuggets 4 2 2 484 461 +23
3 Houston Rockets 4 2 2 463 449 +14
4 Portland Trail Blazers 4 2 2 454 485 −31
5 Golden State Warriors 4 1 3 436 468 −32
Source: NBA

Transactions

Trades

July 8, 2025[6] To Denver Nuggets
To Brooklyn Nets
July 13, 2025[7] To Denver Nuggets
To Sacramento Kings

Free agency

Re-signed

Date Player Signed Ref.
July 3, 2025 Spencer Jones 1-year extension [8]

Additions

Date Player Signed Former Team Ref.
July 2, 2025 Tamar Bates Two-way contract Missouri [9]
July 9, 2025 Bruce Brown 1-year, $2.3 million New Orleans Pelicans [10]
July 10, 2025 Tim Hardaway Jr. 1-year, $2.3 million Detroit Pistons [11]
July 21, 2025 Curtis Jones Two-way contract Iowa State [12]
August 12, 2025 Kessler Edwards 1-year Dallas Mavericks [13]

Subtractions

Date Player Reason New Team Ref.
July 3, 2025 Trey Alexander Free agent New Orleans Pelicans [8]
July 17, 2025 Vlatko Čančar Free agent Olimpia Milano [14]
July 21, 2025 PJ Hall Released Memphis Grizzlies [15]
October 16, 2025 Russell Westbrook Free agent Sacramento Kings
TBD DeAndre Jordan Free agent TBD

References

  1. ^ "Nuggets sack coach Malone two years after Championship win". BBC Sport. April 8, 2025.
  2. ^ "Denver Nuggets name David Adelman head coach". NBA.com. May 22, 2025. Retrieved May 22, 2025.
  3. ^ Quinn, Sam (May 12, 2025). "2025 NBA Draft order, Lottery results: Mavericks win No. 1 pick with long odds, will likely take Cooper Flagg". CBS Sports. Retrieved May 13, 2025.
  4. ^ "2025 NBA Draft Order: Picks 1-59". NBA.com. May 12, 2024. Retrieved May 20, 2025.
  5. ^ "Groups for 2025 NBA Cup tournament released by league".
  6. ^ "Nuggets Acquire Cameron Johnson from Brooklyn Nets in Exchange for Michael Porter Jr. | Denver Nuggets". Nuggets.com. July 8, 2025. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
  7. ^ "NUGGETS ACQUIRE JONAS VALANČIŪNAS | Denver Nuggets". nuggets.com. Retrieved July 13, 2025.
  8. ^ a b "NBA Player Transactions | NBA.com". NBA. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
  9. ^ Brooks, Matt (July 1, 2025). "NUGGETS SIGN TAMAR BATES TO TWO-WAY CONTRACT | Denver Nuggets". Nuggets.com. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
  10. ^ "NUGGETS SIGN BRUCE BROWN | Denver Nuggets". nuggets.com. Retrieved July 9, 2025.
  11. ^ "NUGGETS SIGN TIM HARDAWAY JR. | Denver Nuggets". nuggets.com. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
  12. ^ Dubrof, Jeff (July 20, 2025). "Curtis Jones signs two-way contract with Denver Nuggets". KCCI. Retrieved July 21, 2025.
  13. ^ Veazey, Austin (August 12, 2025). "Former versatile Mavericks forward joining Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets". Dallas Mavericks On SI. Retrieved September 8, 2025.
  14. ^ "Denver Nuggets NBA Champion Signs with Team Overseas". Denver Nuggets On SI. July 18, 2025. Retrieved July 20, 2025.
  15. ^ "Grizzlies' PJ Hall: Signs two-way deal with Memphis". CBSSports.com. July 20, 2025. Retrieved July 21, 2025.