The Denver Nuggets enter their December 5 matchup against the Atlanta Hawks riding an eight-game road winning streak and coming off an explosive 52-point performance from Jamal Murray against the Indiana Pacers. The back-to-back consecutive road victories have vaulted the Nuggets atop NBA road efficiency rankings with a 125.1-point scoring average.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Nuggets own franchise-record 8-game road winning streak heading into Atlanta
- Jamal Murray scored season-high 52 points with 10-of-11 three-pointers vs. Pacers on December 3
- Denver’s scoring average of 125.1 ppg leads entire NBA in 2025-2026
- Hawks missing All-Star Trae Young due to right knee MCL sprain suffered October 29
Denver’s Explosive Offensive Momentum
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Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray have elevated their complementary play to historic levels. Jokic averages 28.7 points per game with league-leading 12.6 rebounds and 11.1 assists per game. Murray contributes 24.7 ppg and demonstrated his scoring ceiling in Wednesday’s matchup against Indiana.
The Nuggets defeated the Pacers 135-120 behind Murray’s historic shooting display. Jokic fell just short of recording another triple-double with 24 points, 8 rebounds, and 13 assists while in front of NBA Commissioner presence.
Hawks Battle Injury Crisis
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Atlanta faces a significantly depleted roster heading into Friday’s matchup. Beyond the loss of Trae Young, the Hawks deal with breakout star Jalen Johnson’s right calf tightness. Johnson, in his fifth season, averages career highs of 23.2 points, 10 rebounds, and 7.3 assists per game.
Additionally, offseason acquisition Kristaps Porzingis has missed the last four consecutive games with illness. The combination of absences has forced Hawks coach Quin Snyder to rely on depth scoring from Nickeil Alexander-Walker, who leads Atlanta’s available players at 20.4 points this season.
Matchup Key Factors
| Factor | Denver Nuggets | Atlanta Hawks |
| Record | 15-6 overall, 9-2 away | 13-10 overall, impacted by injuries |
| Top Scorer | Nikola Jokic (28.7 ppg) | Jalen Johnson (23.2 ppg) – Questionable |
| Road Success | 8-straight road victories | Recent home loss to Clippers (23 points) |
| Key Absence | None | Trae Young out, Porzingis ill |
Nuggets Dominance Over Atlanta
Denver has dominated the Hawks since March 2021, winning eight of nine matchups across multiple seasons. Head coach David Adelman emphasized his team’s road composure and familiarity with opposing arenas. “They’re not afraid of the crowd noise, the moment, the energy of the home team,” Adelman stated.
The Nuggets’ defensive discipline combined with offensive firepower creates a challenging matchup for any opponent. Atlanta’s recent victories have come primarily against weaker competition, while losses to elite teams signal concerning trends ahead.
Can Denver Continue Historic Road Success Against Injury-Ravaged Hawks?
The Denver Nuggets face an opportunity to extend their remarkable road winning streak against a Atlanta Hawks team without its best playmaker and best defender. Murray’s scoring explosion demonstrated his capability to single-handedly carry offensive burden. Jokic’s involvement in every possession keeps opponents guessing on defensive assignments.
If Jalen Johnson remains sidelined, Atlanta loses a critical versatile defender and offensive option, making this a monumental challenge. The Hawks would need exceptional perimeter shooting and perfect execution—difficult propositions against one of the league’s most balanced teams.
“For us, the defense fuels the offense. Once we figure that out, we’ll be really good.”
— Jamal Murray, Denver Nuggets Guard
Sources
- ESPN – Official NBA game recaps and player statistics
- NBA.com – Official league site and game previews
- AP Sports – Game summaries and team analysis
Michael Brown is a seasoned sports journalist bringing years of experience covering professional athletics and sporting culture. With a keen eye for breaking stories and player dynamics, this veteran journalist delivers in-depth analysis and exclusive insights from the world’s biggest sporting events. His passion for the game shines through in every story, keeping fans connected to the action both on and off the field.