Cam Johnson, Christian Braun and Aaron Gordon are the only three players on Denver’s injury report for tomorrow night. Nuggets are now calling Johnson’s injury “right knee hyperextension injury management.”

How Peyton Watson plans to bounce back on Christmas after missing first potential NBA game-winner buff.ly/7rSDWNX

Jaden McDaniels, questionable with a left oblique contusion, is the only player on Minnesota’s injury report ahead of tomorrow’s Christmas nightcap.

Sounds like there’s still some uncertainty in regards to a timeline for Johnson’s return. Hope to know more tomorrow.

Can confirm Cam Johnson suffered a bone bruise in his right knee with no structural damage.

Fun night in Dallas: www.denvergazette.com/2025/12/23/n...

Nikola Jokic on Cooper Flagg: "Just the poise that he played with, it doesn’t feel like he’s so young out there. He seems like he’s played meaningful games, and he was winning before. That’s my opinion. He looked really mature out there."

Here’s David Adelman on his concern level re: Cam Johnson’s injury. Nuggets are flying back to Denver tonight, so imaging will likely wait until tomorrow:

Nikola Jokic on the final play: "I think it’s the right play to do, and I would do it again,” he said.

Sounds like the soonest the Nuggets will get Aaron Gordon or Christian Braun back is on the upcoming east coast road trip.

David Adelman says Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic both made the right decision on the final play. DA saw four guys surrounding Jokic, and Peyton Watson has been lethal from the corners. DA also wasn't thrilled the shot clock violation was called, preventing Denver from running.

Peyton Watson's game-winner rims out at the buzzer. Mavericks win 131-130. Cooper Flagg with 33-9-9. Murray 31-7-14. Jokic 29-7-14.

Murray with a 3 and assist to Jokic to make it a one-point Dallas lead with 31.8 seconds left. Give Murray 31-7-14.

Cooper Flagg hits his fourth 3, a new career-high, and Denver's down 5 with 3:15 to go. Jokic missed a clean look on the previous possession.

The Nuggets are calling Cam Johnson questionable to return with a right knee sprain.

Jamal Murray sets up consecutive buckets, and the double-big lineup quicky puts Denver back in front. Murray with 26-7-12.

Jokic returns to a three-point deficit with 7 minutes to go. We've got the most substantive double big minutes so far.

Cam's headed to the back with the trainers.

Cam Johnson is slow to get up after going for a rebound. He's grabbing his lower right leg. He appears to be in quite a bit of pain.

Julian Strawther with another timely 3, and Denver's got its first lead early in the fourth.

Nuggets and Mavericks and knotted at 103 after 3. Murray: 24-6-9. Jokic 23-7-12. Hardaway 23. Flagg leads all scorers with 28 on 12-16 FG.

Tim Hardaway Jr.'s doing that thing where he shoots Denver back into the game again. He's hit his last three 3s. Denver's within 8 late in the third after Bruce Brown gets out for a transition bucket. Hardaway has 23 on 7-9 3PT.

My goodness, Cooper Flagg.

Cam Johnson hit a 3 to tie it early in the third. Mavericks rattle off six straight points to create a little more separation. Flagg continues to do damage with a put-back dunk and transition assist.

Season’s greetings from Dallas

How we're starting the game 👇

Lengthy injury report for the Mavs:

Peyton Watson and Jonas Valanciunas are probable for tonight’s game in Dallas. Braun, Gordon and Bates remain out. Daron Holmes and Curtis Jones no longer listed on G League assignments.

Final: Nuggets 135, Jazz 112. Jalen Pickett hits a late 3 to tie Denver's franchise record with 24 made 3s in a game. Johnson (6-6), Murray (6-12) and Hardaway (6-11) combine for 18 of them. No Nugget plays more than 29 minutes on first night of B2B.

The thing about Tim Hardaway Jr. is he's going to shoot the ball. He just hit three straight 3s, and Denver's up 26 with 8:48 to go. THJ might've just bought his starters some extra rest. Nuggets are 22-41.

Nuggets lead 103-84 after three. Murray with 27-6-5 on 8-16 FG. Jokic with 14-13-13. Cam Johnson, 6-6, is still perfect from 3.

Peyton Watson with a tough finish in transition and an open catch-and-shoot 3 on the last two possessions. He's up to 19 points on 7-9 FG, 3-4 3PT. Jokic has 12-12-11 with 3 blocks and 2 steals. There's 7 minutes left in the 3Q. Nuggets up 84-58.

Nuggets lead 69-46 at HT. Murray has 18-3-3 on 9 FGA - 5-7 from 3. Cam Johnson has 15 on 5-5 3PT. Jokic with 8-8-8. Denver's 15-28 from 3. Lauri Markkanen leads the Jazz with 9 points. A professional third quarter should allow the Nuggets to rest starters on first night of b2b.

Julian Strawther crashes into the front row trying to save a loose ball. We've got a spilled drink on the court as a result. Impressive hustle for a guy who just missed a stretch with back pain. Nuggets up 57-32 with a few minutes left in the 2Q.

Jalen Pickett is a rim protector now. Nuggets up 40-15 after one. Murray and Watson with 10 points apiece. Jokic with 7-8-5. Pickett has a couple of blocks in the final minute.

Welcome back, Peyton Watson. He's got 10 points on 4-4 FG. He just picked off a pass and threw down a tomahawk to give the Nuggets a 24-3 lead in the middle of the first.

It is 19-0 four minutes into the game.

Nikola Jokic, Peyton Watson and Jamal Murray hit 3s, and Denver opens the game on an 11-0 run before the Jazz take a timeout. Denver's 3-4 from 3.

Injury Update ahead of tonight's game against the Jazz: AVAILABLE: Peyton Watson (Right Trunk Contusion) Jonas Valančiūnas (Illness) OUT: Aaron Gordon (Right Hamstring Strain) Christian Braun (Left Ankle Sprain) `

The Nuggets just announced rookie guard Tamar Bates had surgery to repair a fracture in his left foot. He will be reevaluated in 12 weeks.

Peyton Watson is again listed as questionable for Monday’s game against Utah. Christian Braun and Aaron Gordon remain out. Bates, Holmes and C. Jones still with Grand Rapids Gold.

Here’s KD on the intensity, his respect for Nikola Jokic and a couple of more jabs for Bruce Brown:

Here’s Kevin Durant’s response to Bruce Brown’s claim KD crossed the line tonight:

David Adelman showcasing his sense of humor when talking about his ejection.

Final: Rockets 115, Nuggets 101. Durant drops 31. Sheppard adds 28 for Houston. Rockets go 19-35 from 3. Denver goes 8-28. Jokic 25-7-5.

Jared Dudley goes to the deep bench with 5 minutes left and Houston up 21.

Kevin Durant dances all the way back down the court and points at someone courtside after hitting a 3 that puts Houston up 17 in the middle of the fourth. Bruce and Sengun had to be separated as the teams headed back to the benches. Starting to think these teams might have beef.

David Adelman has been ejected for the first time. Jamal Murray leads a round of applause as his coach exits. Adelman took exception to a no-call on Jokic.

The Nuggets got within 5 late in the third. Then Reed Sheppard Reed Shepparded. He scored the Rockets' last 11 points in the final 1:15 of the quarter. Houston up 82-66 after three. Good news is Jokic could play the entire 4Q and end up around 34 minutes.

I'd have to check with Bruce, the resident hockey expert, but I think they call that "chirping" on the ice.