Denver Nuggets vs Utah Jazz Predicted Starting Lineups and Depth Chart for Dec. 30 | 2024-25 NBA season

Western Conference rivals the Denver Nuggets and Utah Jazz will meet for the third time this season on Monday night in Salt Lake City. The Jazz have struggled of late and will hope a boisterous home crowd and help them break a three-game losing streak. The Nuggets have been inconsistent over the month of December, with a 7-6 record.

Coach Michael Malone knows his players will need to improve if they hope to match the high levels that saw them win a championship in 2023.

There will be plenty of star talent on display at the Delta Center with three-time MVP Nikola Jokic and 2017 MVP Russell Westbrook set to feature for the Nuggets. Forward Lauri Markkanen has had a strong start to the campaign and should provide some firepower for the home team.

Denver Nuggets vs Utah Jazz Predicted Starting Lineups and Depth Chart

Jazz guard Keyonte George dribbles around Denver Nuggets guard Christian Braun at the Delta Center. Photo Credit: Imagn

Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone has been rigid with his starting five over the early stage of the season. Four different Nuggets players have 24 or more starts this year with Michael Porter Jr. leading the way with 30, and Christian Braun just behind him with 29. Only eight Denver players have received starts over the first 30 games of the season.

A calf injury to Aaron Gordan has forced Malone to adjust his starting lineup with Russell Westbrook taking the forward's spot over the last two games. Forward Peyton Watson could be another candidate for the final starting position.

The Nuggets will also be without forward Vlatko Cancar and center DaRon Holmes II, who are both sidelined with injuries.

Denver will likely take the court with a lineup that includes Jamal Murray, Christian Braun, Russell Westbrook, Michael Porter Jr. and Nikola Jokic.

Denver Nuggets depth chart

G	Jamal Murray	Russell Westbrook	Jalen Pickett
G	Christian Braun	Julian Stawther	Trey Alexander
F	Michael Porter Jr.	Hunter Tyson	Vlato Cancar (O)
F	Aaron Gordon (O)	Peyton Watson	Zeke Nnaji	PJ Hall
C	Nikola Jokic	DeAndre Jordan	Dario Saric	DaRon Holmes II (O)

Third-year head coach Will Hardy has been flexible with his starting lineup with 12 different players earning starts this season. Over the Utah Jazz's first 30 games, four players (Lauri Markkanen, Walker Kessler, Collin Sexton and Keyonte George) have received 24 or more starts. John Collins, who has 17 starts, is usually the preferred fifth member of Hardy's lineup.

Injuries will be a major concern for the Jazz going into Monday's clash, with forward John Collins listed as doubtful and guard Keyonte George listed as questionable. Both players have been vital pieces in the Jazz's lineup. Forward Taylor Hendricks is also out after suffering a season-ending injury in October.

Expect the Utah Jazz to start the game with the same lineup that began the last game: Jordan Clarkson, Collin Sexton, Cody Williams, Lauri Markkanen, and Walker Kessler.

Utah Jazz depth chart

G	Keyonte George (O)	Isaiah Collier	Patty Mills
G	Collin Sexton	Jordan Clarkson	Svi Mykhailiuk	Johnny Juzang
F	Lauri Markkanen	Cody Williams	Bryce Sensabaugh
F	John Collins	Kyle Filipowski	Taylor Hendricks (O)	Drew Eubanks
C	Walker Kessler	Micah Potter

Denver Nuggets vs Utah Jazz preview

Utah Jazz guard Keyonte George gets the ball stripped by Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic and guard Peyton Watson at the Delta Center. Photo Credit: Imagn

The Denver Nuggets will be looking to string together some wins after an inconsistent 45-day period. Denver had an impressive five-game win streak in early November, but have struggled and won three consecutive games just once since Nov. 15.

Overall, the Nuggets have a 17-13 record and are currently seventh in the Western Conference standings. They have won six of their last 10 games and have an 8-8 away record.

The defense has been a problem area for Denver, with the team allowing 117.4 ppg. That is the third-most in the Western Conference.

Serbian big man Nikola Jokic has been outstanding early in the season and is once again one of the early favorites for the MVP crown. The 6-foot-11 center leads the Nuggets roster in points (30.8) rebounds (12.5), and assists (9.5), and ranks third in blocks (0.6).

The Utah Jazz are still trying to find a winning formula with their young and inexperienced lineup. After three consecutive losses to the Cleveland Cavaliers, Portland Trail Blazers and Philadelphia 76ers, they will be eager to get a win on Monday and return to winning ways.

The Jazz have a 7-23 record, the second-worst in the Western Conference, with only the New Orleans Pelicans (5-27) securing fewer wins so far. They are 3-7 in their last 10 games and have won just two of their 13 home games.

Lauri Markkanen has been one of the bright spots in the Jazz roster. The Finnish forward has played at a high level throughout the season, averaging 19.7 ppg, 6.5 rpg and 2.0 apg over 25 games.