With just five games left in the regular season, the Western Conference has become a battleground. Six teams are clawing for four guaranteed playoff spots, and the margin for error is gone. For the Denver Nuggets, currently clinging to the 3rd seed with a 47-30 record, every possession from here on out could define their postseason fate.

Denver has dropped two straight, and the timing couldn’t be worse. The Lakers, once in 3th ahead of Denver, have slipped after a crushing loss to the Warriors. Golden State, riding a surge, has jumped to 5th at 45-31. The Timberwolves and Grizzlies are both lurking close behind at 45-32. One off night for Nuggets could be the difference between home-court advantage and a do-or-die play-in scenario.

To avoid that fall, the Nuggets will need their stars firing on all cylinders. Nikola Jokić is expected to return after missing the Spurs game with a sore ankle, but Jamal Murray’s status remains up in the air ahead of Friday’s clash against Golden State.

And that’s a problem because the Warriors are peaking at the worst possible time for Denver. Fresh off a 123-116 win over the Lakers, Warriors are now riding a 4 matches win streak. Stephen Curry looked unstoppable with 37 points, 6 assists, and 3 rebounds and Brandin Podziemski chipped in 28 points, along with 6 assists and 8 boards.

If the Nuggets want to keep their grip on a top-three seed, they’ll need to shut down the hottest backcourt in the league—and do it without margin for error.

Denver Nuggets Injury Report

Jamal Murray, he’s been out with a hamstring injury and is trying to make his return, but he’s still questionable for the Warriors game and the high probability is he’ll sit out through the match. This is a big matchup. His absence will be felt—because when the lights shine brightest, Murray usually rises. Just think back to the 2020 NBA Bubble, when Denver was on the brink and Murray transformed into a different beast entirely. He dropped 50 points—twice—in that historic first-round series against the Jazz, going toe-to-toe with Donovan Mitchell and dragging the Nuggets out of a 3–1 hole.

Nikola Jokić is the other big name to watch. He missed the last game against the Spurs with a sore ankle but is now listed as probable—a good sign he’ll suit up, just like he did against the Jazz despite the injury. That’s great news for Denver—everyone knows how much Jokić means to this team.

Just last week, after missing five straight games, Jokić returned and dropped 39 points, 10 assists, and 10 rebounds against the Bucks in a dominant all-around performance. That’s the kind of impact Denver will need from him again—especially with Murray still questionable and the Warriors surging at the wrong time.

Aaron Gordon (calf) and Christian Braun (foot) are both listed as probable, so they should be good to go. Otherwise, the starter lineup will get chaotic. Peyton Watson and Julian Strawther are questionable with knee injuries, and rookie DaRon Holmes II is still out with an Achilles injury, although he did take part in some practice. 

Denver Nuggets Depth Chart Going Against Golden State Warriors

If Murray doesn’t play, Denver will likely lean heavily on Westbrook and Pickett to handle ball-handling duties, with Braun playing a key two-way role if healthy. The frontcourt still runs through Jokić if he’s good to go.

The Denver Nuggets stand at a critical juncture in the tight Western Conference, their playoff seeding hinging on these final games. With Jamal Murray’s status uncertain against a surging Warriors team, the pressure intensifies for Jokić’s return and the collective resilience of the roster. This pivotal matchup will reveal their ability to navigate injuries and high-stakes competition as they fight to secure a top-three seed and avoid the play-in uncertainty.