Nov 4, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) and guard Julian Strawther (3) in the fourth quarter against the Toronto Raptors at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

Denver Nuggets Announce New Starting Lineup Due to Injury vs Suns

Originally posted on Denver Nuggets on SI
By Liam Willerup | Last updated Feb 8, 2025 9:06 PM ET

The Denver Nuggets are set to have their last road game before All-Star weekend, as they travel to Phoenix to play the Suns on Saturday night. While many teams around the league have changed after the NBA trade deadline, that isn't the case for the Nuggets.

While the Suns were involved in rumors surrounding a trade for Kevin Durant, those never materialized. For the Nuggets, they opted to stay put with their core and look to continue their five-game winning streak after bouncing back from a three-game losing streak. Tonight against the Suns, they'll be without two key starters, prompting a lineup change by Michael Malone.

Tonight's starting 5️⃣ pic.twitter.com/MBK7awDGHw
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) February 9, 2025

The Nuggets will roll out a starting five of Jamal Murray, Julian Strawther, Christian Braun, Aaron Gordon, and Nikola Jokic against the Suns. While Strawther was inserted into the starting lineup in their last contest against the Orlando Magic due to Russell Westbrook being out, Murray will replace the absent Michael Porter Jr.

: Michael Porter Jr. (hamstring) won’t play tonight vs. Suns

It’s the first game MPJ will miss this season. pic.twitter.com/KtQJwEzF5E
— DNVR Nuggets (@DNVR_Nuggets) February 9, 2025

Saturday night will be just the second career start for Strawther, as the second-year guard from Gonzaga has emerged as a consistent rotation piece for Denver this season, averaging 9.3 points per game.

This crew kept the Ws comin'!

MPJ: 30 PTS / 7 REB / 1 AST / 1 BLK
Jok: 28 PTS / 10 REB / 12 AST / 2 STL
CB: 16 PTS / 8 REB / 4 AST / 3 STL
AG: 11 PTS / 3 REB / 7 AST pic.twitter.com/g4gV1l6imQ
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) February 7, 2025

The Suns, who are 1-3 in their last four games, will now face three of the top five seeds in the Western Conference before heading into the All-Star break. Even shorthanded, Denver can't be counted out.

This article first appeared on Denver Nuggets on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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