Nuggets Return Rested, Eye Ninth Straight Win vs. Hornets

The Denver Nuggets enter Thursday night’s matchup against the Charlotte Hornets riding an eight-game winning streak and sitting comfortably in third place in the Western Conference. After a week of rest following the NBA All-Star break, Denver is healthy and ready for the final stretch of the regular season.

In contrast, the Hornets played on Wednesday night, pulling off a 100-97 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in a rescheduled game from January. The back-to-back situation could pose a challenge for Charlotte, especially against a well-rested Denver squad.

Charlotte Hornets: Battling Through Inconsistency

The Hornets (14-41) have struggled with injuries and roster uncertainty all season. No player on the team has appeared in all 53 games, making it tough to build chemistry and consistency.

Despite these setbacks, LaMelo Ball has been a bright spot, averaging 27.3 points and 7.2 assists before the break. Brandon Miller (21.0 PPG), Miles Bridges (19.5 PPG), and Mark Williams (15.6 PPG) provide additional scoring support.

Williams had 10 points and nine rebounds in Wednesday’s game—his first since a failed trade sent him to the Lakers before being rescinded due to a failed physical.

Charlotte has lost 11 of its last 14 games, but the win over the Lakers gives them some momentum heading into Denver.

Denver Nuggets: A Dominant Run Despite Injuries

After a slow 11-10 start to the season, Denver (36-16) has regained its championship-caliber form. The Nuggets last played on Feb. 15, defeating the Washington Wizards 130-110 for their eighth straight victory.

Nikola Jokic continues his MVP-level performance, averaging:

• 29.8 PPG (5th in NBA)
• 12.6 RPG (Top 5)
• 10.2 APG (4th in NBA)

The two-time MVP recorded a triple-double in the last meeting against Charlotte, leading Denver to a 107-104 victory on Feb. 1.

Injury Updates:
Denver has battled injuries but is now near full strength:

• Russell Westbrook (hamstring strain) has missed seven games
• Michael Porter Jr. (hamstring tightness) has missed three
• Aaron Gordon (calf strain) has missed 23 games this season

All three are listed as probable for Thursday, giving coach Michael Malone plenty of lineup options.

“All I’ll say is that it’s great to have options,” Malone said. “We have a healthy team, and obviously, Russell Westbrook’s done great things for us. Christian Braun, this last eight-game stretch, is playing just incredible basketball.”

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Matchup to Watch: Jokic vs. Hornets Defense

Charlotte’s defense will have a major challenge trying to contain Jokic, who leads the NBA in triple-doubles this season. The Hornets lack interior size, and if Jokic dominates the paint, Denver could control the game from start to finish.

Meanwhile, LaMelo Ball’s playmaking will be key for Charlotte’s offense. If the Hornets can push the pace and force Denver into a perimeter battle, they might have a chance to pull off an upset.