The Denver Nuggets face the Sacramento Kings in Sacramento on Thursday night, favored by 10.5 points in a key Western Conference matchup. Denver has won seven of the last eight meetings with Sacramento, despite the Kings' 128-123 victory on November 22. Both teams enter with injuries, as the Nuggets aim to extend their three-game winning streak.
The 2025-26 NBA season continues with a four-game slate on Thursday, December 11, highlighted by the Denver Nuggets visiting the Sacramento Kings at 10 p.m. ET. Denver (14-4, third in the West) is coming off a 115-106 win at Charlotte on Sunday and has won three straight overall. Sacramento (3-13, tied for fourth in the Pacific Division) lost 116-105 at Indiana on Monday and has dropped five of its last six, along with 13 of 16 games.
The Nuggets hold a strong edge historically, winning seven of the last eight head-to-head matchups, though Sacramento pulled off a 128-123 upset in Denver on November 22. The over has hit in six of the past 10 meetings between the teams. Betting models project a decisive Nuggets victory, covering the 10.5-point spread in nearly 70% of 10,000 simulations.
Injuries will impact both sides. Denver will be without forward Aaron Gordon (hamstring, out until after Christmas) and guard Christian Braun (ankle). Sacramento misses leading scorer Zach LaVine (thumb) and forward Domantas Sabonis (knee). Despite the absences, Nikola Jokić remains a focal point for Denver, averaging 29.2 points, 12.3 rebounds, and 11 assists in 34.9 minutes across 23 starts. He has recorded 11 triple-doubles and 21 double-doubles this season, including 55 points and 12 rebounds against the Clippers on November 12 and 40 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists at Atlanta last Friday. Models project Jokić for 32.2 points.
For Sacramento, DeMar DeRozan leads the projections with 17.4 points, as five Kings players are expected to score 12.7 or more. Five Nuggets are projected for 11 or more points. The Kings' defense ranks in the bottom five in points allowed and defensive rating, offering a favorable matchup for Denver's offense.
