Nuggets vs. Pelicans Injury Report: Key Absences Ahead of Wednesday Rematch

The Denver Nuggets enter their Wednesday night matchup against the New Orleans Pelicans fighting to stabilize a shaky 1-2 start to the season. While Denver defeated the Pelicans in overtime on October 24, they are doing so with a shorthanded roster that has seen rookie Bryce Hopkins start in place of the doubtful Cameron Johnson, as reported by Sports Illustrated.

This game is more than just a quick rematch; it is a critical crossroads for a Denver team that just suffered a 134-114 blowout loss to the Golden State Warriors on Monday. For the Pelicans, who are winless at 0-3, the stakes are even higher. New Orleans has lost its first three games by a combined total of only ten points, suggesting they are playing competitive basketball but failing to close out in the clutch.

Denver’s Depth Chart Crisis

The Nuggets are currently managing a personnel nightmare. The most pressing concern is starting forward Cameron Johnson, who is listed as doubtful due to a right ankle sprain. Johnson’s injury occurred during the first half of the season opener against the Oklahoma City Thunder, and he hasn’t seen the floor since. His absence creates a void in the starting lineup that Denver is attempting to fill with Bryce Hopkins.

Nuggets vs. Pelicans Injury Report: Key Absences Ahead of Wednesday Rematch — Photo: sports.yahoo.com

The damage extends far beyond the starting five. The Nuggets’ bench unit is effectively gutted, with three key rotation players ruled out. Julian Strawther is sidelined for six weeks with a left knee sprain, and Spencer Jones is out for bilateral hamstring injury management. Neither player has made their season debut. Adding to the pressure, Alpha Diallo is out for a third straight game for personal reasons. When a team loses three primary bench options and a starter simultaneously, the margin for error vanishes.

To fill these gaps, Denver is leaning on Trevon Brazile to provide energy off the bench and relying on the remaining reserves like Marvin Bagley III and Tyus Jones. The “so what” here is simple: if the starters struggle or foul trouble hits, Denver has no veteran safety net. They are relying on “end-of-bench guys” to perform under high-pressure road conditions.

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The Pelicans’ Frontcourt Gap

New Orleans isn’t entirely healthy, but their situation is far less dire than Denver’s. The Pelicans will be without center Yves Missi, who is out with a left knee contusion and bone bruise. Missi has been a productive presence in his limited action this year, averaging 9.5 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.5 assists over two games. However, his absence creates a specific tactical advantage for Denver.

With DeAndre Jordan expected to fill in for Missi, Nikola Jokic faces a mismatch he is well-equipped to exploit. During Saturday’s overtime win, Jokic dismantled the New Orleans defense, recording a massive triple-double with 35 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists. If the Pelicans cannot find a way to contain Jokic without Missi’s mobility and length, Denver’s firepower may outweigh their lack of depth.

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New Orleans also has Jordan Poole listed as probable due to an illness, though he is expected to play. While Poole’s current production is modest—averaging 7.3 points per game—his ability to stretch the floor remains a threat that Denver’s shorthanded defense must account for.

The Tactical Matchup

The contrast in availability between the two teams is stark. Denver is missing four key contributors, while New Orleans is primarily missing one starter. On paper, the Pelicans have the depth advantage, having utilized a wide rotation of players like Saddiq Bey, Bennedict Mathurin, and Herbert Jones in their previous outing against Denver.

Team	Key Absences	Primary Replacement
Denver Nuggets	Cameron Johnson, Alpha Diallo, Spencer Jones, Julian Strawther	Bryce Hopkins (Starter), Trevon Brazile (Bench)
New Orleans Pelicans	Yves Missi	DeAndre Jordan

Some analysts might argue that Denver’s reliance on rookies like Hopkins and Brazile could lead to a collapse in a hostile road environment. The risk is that the Pelicans’ 0-3 desperation, combined with a fuller roster, will overwhelm a Nuggets team that is already exhausted from chasing a 23-point deficit in their previous win against New Orleans.

However, the historical dominance of the Jokic-Murray duo often renders depth charts irrelevant. In their last meeting, Jamal Murray scored 42 points to help secure the 141-135 victory. If Denver can maintain their offensive efficiency, the missing bench pieces become a footnote rather than a deciding factor.

The game tips off at 6:00 p.m. MT in New Orleans. For Denver, dropping to 1-3 would be an unacceptable start for a championship contender; for New Orleans, it is a chance to finally stop the bleeding and secure a first win.

The Nuggets are essentially playing a high-stakes game of poker with a depleted hand, betting that their superstars can carry the load for 48 minutes without a safety net.