Denver Nuggets vs. Atlanta Hawks Predicted Starting Lineups and Depth Chart for Jan. 1 | 2024-25 NBA season

The reigning NBA MVP, Nikola Jokic, and the Denver Nuggets will face the Charlotte Hornets to kick off the new year on Jan. 1. The game will be hosted at Ball Arena in Denver and is scheduled to tip off at 9 PM Eastern Time.

The Nuggets are currently on a two-game winning streak, having beaten the Detroit Pistons at home and ending 2024 with a road win against the Utah Jazz. With a 7-3 record in their last 10 games, the Nuggets hold an 18-13 record, placing them fifth in the Western Conference standings.

The Denver Nuggets, who won the NBA championship in 2022, have shown strong performance at home this season, securing nine wins out of 14 games at Ball Arena. In their last five home games, the Nuggets have a 4-1 record, effectively defending their home court.

Nikola Jokic, the frontrunner for the regular season MVP, continues to lead the Nuggets in scoring, rebounding, assists and steals per game. He is averaging 31.0 points, 12.9 rebounds, 9.5 assists and 1.8 steals per game in 37.1 minutes of playing time.

Jokic is supported by longtime partner Jamal Murray, who is averaging 19.8 points, 4.2 rebounds and 6.4 assists per game. Additionally, sharpshooter Michael Porter Jr. contributes 18.7 points and 6.6 rebounds per game, with a 41.3 percent shooting accuracy from the three-point line.

Conversely, the Hawks have won their last four games, improving their record to 18-15 and securing the fifth spot in the Eastern Conference. With an 8-8 record in road games this season, the team recently won their previous away game against the Toronto Raptors.

Trae Young leads the Hawks in scoring, averaging 22.0 points and 12.1 assists per game. Young forward Jalen Johnson has also been a significant contributor, averaging 19.9 points, 10.2 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game.

Denver Nuggets vs. Atlanta Hawks Predicted Starting Lineups and Depth Chart

Denver Nuggets Predicted Starting Lineups and Depth Chart

The Denver Nuggets are expected to start the game with Jamal Murray, Russell Westbrook, Christian Braun, Michael Porter Jr. and Nikola Jokic. Head coach Mike Malone will call the shots for the Nuggets.

POS	STARTER	2ND	3RD
Point Guard	Jamal Murray	Russell Westbrook
Shooting Guard	Russell Westbrook	Julian Strawther	Trey Alexander
Small Forward	Christian Braun	Peyton Watson	Jalen Pickett
Power Forward	Michael Porter Jr.	Dario Saric	Zeke Nnaji
Center	Nikola Jokic	Deandre Jordan	PJ Hall

Atlanta Hawks Predicted Starting Lineups and Depth Chart

The Atlanta Hawks will be fielding a starting lineup that includes Trae Young, Zaccharie Risacher, Vit Krejci, Jalen Johnson and Clint Capela.

POS	STARTER	2ND	3RD
Point Guard	Trae Young	Keaton Wallace
Shooting Guard	Zaccharie Risacher	Garrison Matthews
Small Forward	Vit Krejci	De'Andre Hunter
Power Forward	Jalen Johnson	Larry Nance Jr.	David Roddy
Center	Clint Capela	Onyeka Okongwu

Denver Nuggets vs. Atlanta Hawks Injury reports

Denver Nuggets injury report

The Denver Nuggets will miss a key starter and a bench player in the game against the Hawks. Aaron Gordon will miss the game due to a calf injury, while Vlatko Cancar will be out because of a knee injury.

Atlanta Hawks injury report

The Atlanta Hawks will also be without a key starter and a few bench players. Dyson Daniels is out for the Hawks with an illness while shooter Bogdan Bogdanovic remains questionable due to a leg injury. Larry Nance Jr. will also be out due to a hand injury and center Cody Zeller will miss the game due to personal reasons.