Overview
- Denver fell to the Cavaliers by five and was out-rebounded 62–45 with rookie DaRon Holmes II starting at center.
- Jamal Murray is the only regular starter available, averaging 25.1 points and 6.9 assists while playing through a left ankle sprain under close monitoring.
- Nikola Jokic sustained a left knee hyperextension in Miami and is slated for a four-week re-evaluation.
- Backup center Jonas Valanciunas has a right calf strain with his next status update expected at the end of January.
- Aaron Gordon, Cam Johnson and Christian Braun remain out without return timetables, yet Denver is 23–10 for third in the West.