Denver Nuggets vs Toronto Raptors Starting Lineups Tonight (Dec. 31) | 2025-26 NBA Season

The Denver Nuggets and Toronto Raptors lock horns in an interconference regular-season game at the Scotiabank Arena on Wednesday. The Nuggets will enter every game from here until the next four weeks as the underdogs, with their headliner, Nikola Jokic, ruled out with a brutal injury.

Jokic's injury threatens to completely derail Denver's campaign, while the injury-forced absence of three more starters only adds salt to the wounds. The Nuggets dropped their last two games, and with four starters sidelined, Jamal Murray and Co. would need to play out of their skin to end their losing streak.

Meanwhile, the Raptors found their mojo back with back-to-back confidence-boosting wins after a concerning stretch of performances. Currently on a two-game winning streak, Toronto would look to extend its run with a victory against an undermanned Nuggets unit.

Here are the starting lineups of both teams.

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Denver Nuggets vs. Toronto Raptors Starting Lineups Tonight (Dec. 31)

Denver Nuggets starting lineup

The Nuggets' starting five will look a lot different from how it has this season. With Nikola Jokic out, Jonas Valanciunas is likely to take up the role of the starting center.

Jamal Murray is the only permanent Nuggets starter who is healthy and will continue to start at the point guard position. Tim Hardaway Jr. will partner with Murray in the backcourt, while Spencer Jones and Peyton Watson will be at the wing.

Nuggets depth chart against Raptors:

Toronto Raptors starting lineup

The Raptors are likely to make one big change as R.J. Barrett is cleared to play after sitting out the previous game, which was the backend of a back-to-back.

He will share the backcourt with Immanuel Quickley, while Brandon Ingram and Ochai Agbaji are the two forwards. Scottie Barnes will lead the frontcourt from the center position.

Raptors depth chart against Nuggets:

Denver Nuggets vs. Toronto Raptors injury reports

The Nuggets listed five players on the injury report ahead of the Raptors game. Julian Strawther is listed as probable with an illness and is likely to play. Nikola Jokic (left knee injury management), Christian Braun (left ankle sprain), Aaron Gordon (right hamstring strain) and Cam Johnson (right knee injury management) are ruled out.

Meanwhile, the Raptors have their entire roster available to play apart from Jakob Poeltl. The Australian big man is dealing with a back injury and is confirmed to miss at least one more week.

Edited by Atishay Jain