Minnesota Timberwolves vs Denver Nuggets Starting Lineups Tonight (Dec. 25) | 2025-26 NBA Season

The Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets will add another chapter to their growing rivalry with a Christmas Day showdown on Thursday. It will be the third encounter of the season between these two teams, with the Nuggets having won the previous two fixtures in a rather comfortable manner.

The Timberwolves would eye revenge for the two losses, and the franchise is in great shape right now to make it 2-1 in the season series. Minnesota has played superbly over the course of December, boasting an 8-2 record in its last 10 games and is currently on a three-game winning streak.

The Nuggets aren't an easy team to beat, though, especially when the duo of Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray is clicking on all cylinders. It's going to be a fascinating battle between the two franchises, who have often produced edge-of-the-seat thrillers for basketball fans.

Here are the starting lineups for both teams.

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Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Denver Nuggets Starting Lineups Tonight (Dec. 25)

Minnesota Timberwolves starting lineup

Jaden McDaniels missed the previous game and his absence left a spot open in the starting lineup, which was filled by Mike Conley. If McDaniels is cleared to return, he will take his place in the starting five and Conley will move back to the bench.

The rest of the starters are going to be the same, with Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo in the backcourt. McDaniels, if healthy, will be on the wing with Julius Randle, while Rudy Gobert will be the center.

Timberwolves depth chart against the Nuggets:

Denver Nuggets starting lineup

The Nuggets are forced to make one change to their starting lineup, with Cam Johnson injured and ruled out. Either Tim Hardaway Jr. or Bruce Brown could get promoted to the starting five.

Nikola Jokic will lead the group, with Jamal Murray forming a formidable backcourt with Spencer Jones. Payton Watson will share the wing position with Johnson's replacement.

Nuggets depth chart against the Timberwolves:

Minnesota Timberwolves vs. Denver Nuggets injury reports

The Timberwolves listed only one place on the injury report after Wednesday's practice. Jaden McDaniels is questionable with a left oblique contusion.

Meanwhile, the Nuggets ruled out Cam Johnson, Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun. Johnson is sidelined with right knee hyperextension, Gordon is recovering from a right hamstring strain and Braun is dealing with a left ankle sprain.

Edited by Atishay Jain