Vinny Benedetto
@vbenedetto.bsky.social
Denver Nuggets beat writer for the Denver Gazette.
(Nuggets still gotta figure out their up-3 defense in the final seconds)
January 1, 2026 at 3:32 AM
(Nuggets still gotta figure out their up-3 defense in the final seconds)
Just kidding. Ingram didn't get it off in time. Nuggets survive 106-103.
Watson with 24 and 8 with 2 steals. Murray 21-7-6.
Ingram finishes with a game-high 30.
Watson with 24 and 8 with 2 steals. Murray 21-7-6.
Ingram finishes with a game-high 30.
Bruce misses a pair of free throws. Barrett banks in a 3 over Hardaway at the buzzer.
Overtime is just what this Nuggets team needed.
Overtime is just what this Nuggets team needed.
January 1, 2026 at 3:11 AM
Just kidding. Ingram didn't get it off in time. Nuggets survive 106-103.
Watson with 24 and 8 with 2 steals. Murray 21-7-6.
Ingram finishes with a game-high 30.
Watson with 24 and 8 with 2 steals. Murray 21-7-6.
Ingram finishes with a game-high 30.
Bruce misses a pair of free throws. Barrett banks in a 3 over Hardaway at the buzzer.
Overtime is just what this Nuggets team needed.
Overtime is just what this Nuggets team needed.
January 1, 2026 at 3:09 AM
Bruce misses a pair of free throws. Barrett banks in a 3 over Hardaway at the buzzer.
Overtime is just what this Nuggets team needed.
Overtime is just what this Nuggets team needed.
Watson can't throw down a would-be poster. Nuggets grab the offensive rebound, but Holmes can't hit a good look at a 3.
Jones fouls Quickley going for another board. IQ hits both. Denver takes a timeout up 1 with 20.2 seconds left.
Jones fouls Quickley going for another board. IQ hits both. Denver takes a timeout up 1 with 20.2 seconds left.
January 1, 2026 at 2:59 AM
Watson can't throw down a would-be poster. Nuggets grab the offensive rebound, but Holmes can't hit a good look at a 3.
Jones fouls Quickley going for another board. IQ hits both. Denver takes a timeout up 1 with 20.2 seconds left.
Jones fouls Quickley going for another board. IQ hits both. Denver takes a timeout up 1 with 20.2 seconds left.
Peyton Watson hits the floor to secure a rebound and draws a foul while he's down there. He splits the FTs.
Nuggets up 4 with 1:46 left.
Nuggets up 4 with 1:46 left.
January 1, 2026 at 2:55 AM
Peyton Watson hits the floor to secure a rebound and draws a foul while he's down there. He splits the FTs.
Nuggets up 4 with 1:46 left.
Nuggets up 4 with 1:46 left.
Nuggets are calling it a right calf strain for Jonas Valanciunas. He's questionable to return, though I would be shocked if he did.
January 1, 2026 at 2:27 AM
Nuggets are calling it a right calf strain for Jonas Valanciunas. He's questionable to return, though I would be shocked if he did.
Nuggets up 85-79 after three.
Watson leads Denver with 20 points and has 5 rebounds. Valanciunas with 17-9-4 and 3 blocks before the injury. Murray, Pickett and Holmes also in double figures.
Brandon Ingram up to 24 points for the Raptors.
Watson leads Denver with 20 points and has 5 rebounds. Valanciunas with 17-9-4 and 3 blocks before the injury. Murray, Pickett and Holmes also in double figures.
Brandon Ingram up to 24 points for the Raptors.
January 1, 2026 at 2:25 AM
Nuggets up 85-79 after three.
Watson leads Denver with 20 points and has 5 rebounds. Valanciunas with 17-9-4 and 3 blocks before the injury. Murray, Pickett and Holmes also in double figures.
Brandon Ingram up to 24 points for the Raptors.
Watson leads Denver with 20 points and has 5 rebounds. Valanciunas with 17-9-4 and 3 blocks before the injury. Murray, Pickett and Holmes also in double figures.
Brandon Ingram up to 24 points for the Raptors.
Because Nuggets fans deserve some good news, DaRon Holmes II is up to 11 points on 4-4 FG, including a couple of quick release 3s.
January 1, 2026 at 2:21 AM
Because Nuggets fans deserve some good news, DaRon Holmes II is up to 11 points on 4-4 FG, including a couple of quick release 3s.
Jonas Valanciunas is walking gingerly to the bench grabbing the back of his right leg. Holmes takes his place with 4 minutes left in the third.
Denver up 3.
Denver up 3.
January 1, 2026 at 2:16 AM
Jonas Valanciunas is walking gingerly to the bench grabbing the back of his right leg. Holmes takes his place with 4 minutes left in the third.
Denver up 3.
Denver up 3.
Toronto starts the 3Q on a 9-0 run to erase Denver's lead. Tim Hardaway Jr. hits a pull-up 3 in transition to put Denver back in front by a point in the middle of the third.
January 1, 2026 at 2:10 AM
Toronto starts the 3Q on a 9-0 run to erase Denver's lead. Tim Hardaway Jr. hits a pull-up 3 in transition to put Denver back in front by a point in the middle of the third.
Jamal Murray hits a step-back middy late in the second, and Denver leads 63-54 at halftime.
Peyton Watson with a team-high 18 points on 7-12 FG. Valanciunas with 10-8-4. Murray (13) and Pickett (10) also in double figures.
Barnes with 16-7-6 to lead the Raptors.
Peyton Watson with a team-high 18 points on 7-12 FG. Valanciunas with 10-8-4. Murray (13) and Pickett (10) also in double figures.
Barnes with 16-7-6 to lead the Raptors.
January 1, 2026 at 1:39 AM
Jamal Murray hits a step-back middy late in the second, and Denver leads 63-54 at halftime.
Peyton Watson with a team-high 18 points on 7-12 FG. Valanciunas with 10-8-4. Murray (13) and Pickett (10) also in double figures.
Barnes with 16-7-6 to lead the Raptors.
Peyton Watson with a team-high 18 points on 7-12 FG. Valanciunas with 10-8-4. Murray (13) and Pickett (10) also in double figures.
Barnes with 16-7-6 to lead the Raptors.
DaRon Holmes II hits a 3 late in the first quarter, and Denver leads 32-23 after one. Murray and Valanciunas lead Denver with 8 points apiece.
Scottie Barnes with 12-4-3 to lead Toronto. Barnes is 5-6 FG. rest of the Raptors are 4-20.
Scottie Barnes with 12-4-3 to lead Toronto. Barnes is 5-6 FG. rest of the Raptors are 4-20.
January 1, 2026 at 1:09 AM
DaRon Holmes II hits a 3 late in the first quarter, and Denver leads 32-23 after one. Murray and Valanciunas lead Denver with 8 points apiece.
Scottie Barnes with 12-4-3 to lead Toronto. Barnes is 5-6 FG. rest of the Raptors are 4-20.
Scottie Barnes with 12-4-3 to lead Toronto. Barnes is 5-6 FG. rest of the Raptors are 4-20.
Monster first stretch from Jonas Valanciunas. He's got 8 points, 6 rebounds and a couple of assists in the first nine minutes. Nuggets up 9 as DaRon Holmes II replaces JV.
January 1, 2026 at 1:01 AM
Monster first stretch from Jonas Valanciunas. He's got 8 points, 6 rebounds and a couple of assists in the first nine minutes. Nuggets up 9 as DaRon Holmes II replaces JV.
Jamal Murray hits his first two 3s, and Jalen Pickett adds another to get Denver's new starting lineup out to a 15-11 advantage midway through the 1Q in Toronto.
January 1, 2026 at 12:51 AM
Jamal Murray hits his first two 3s, and Jalen Pickett adds another to get Denver's new starting lineup out to a 15-11 advantage midway through the 1Q in Toronto.
Reposted by Vinny Benedetto
Injury Report ahead of tomorrow's game against the Raptors:
PROBABLE:
Julian Strawther (Illness)
OUT:
Nikola Jokić (Left Knee Injury Management)
Cameron Johnson (Right Knee Injury Management)
Aaron Gordon (Right Hamstring Strain)
Christian Braun (Left Ankle Sprain)
PROBABLE:
Julian Strawther (Illness)
OUT:
Nikola Jokić (Left Knee Injury Management)
Cameron Johnson (Right Knee Injury Management)
Aaron Gordon (Right Hamstring Strain)
Christian Braun (Left Ankle Sprain)
December 30, 2025 at 10:07 PM
Injury Report ahead of tomorrow's game against the Raptors:
PROBABLE:
Julian Strawther (Illness)
OUT:
Nikola Jokić (Left Knee Injury Management)
Cameron Johnson (Right Knee Injury Management)
Aaron Gordon (Right Hamstring Strain)
Christian Braun (Left Ankle Sprain)
PROBABLE:
Julian Strawther (Illness)
OUT:
Nikola Jokić (Left Knee Injury Management)
Cameron Johnson (Right Knee Injury Management)
Aaron Gordon (Right Hamstring Strain)
Christian Braun (Left Ankle Sprain)
Reposted by Vinny Benedetto
Just in: Denver Nuggets' Nikola Jokic has been diagnosed with a hyperextension in his left knee and will miss at least four weeks. An immense sigh of relief as tests show the three-time NBA MVP's knee ligaments are intact.
December 30, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Just in: Denver Nuggets' Nikola Jokic has been diagnosed with a hyperextension in his left knee and will miss at least four weeks. An immense sigh of relief as tests show the three-time NBA MVP's knee ligaments are intact.
Here’s David Adelman’s full answer on Nikola Jokic’s injury:
December 30, 2025 at 3:13 AM
Here’s David Adelman’s full answer on Nikola Jokic’s injury:
Not much of an update from David Adelman on Nikola Jokic in his postgame availability. Imaging to find out the extent will be done tomorrow.
Adelman didn't strike me as very optimistic.
Adelman didn't strike me as very optimistic.
December 30, 2025 at 2:59 AM
Not much of an update from David Adelman on Nikola Jokic in his postgame availability. Imaging to find out the extent will be done tomorrow.
Adelman didn't strike me as very optimistic.
Adelman didn't strike me as very optimistic.
Nuggets fall 147-123. First consecutive losses of the season for Denver, but there's only one thing that really matters tonight.
Nikola Jokic still leads the Nuggets with 21 points on the night.
Nikola Jokic still leads the Nuggets with 21 points on the night.
December 30, 2025 at 2:50 AM
Nuggets fall 147-123. First consecutive losses of the season for Denver, but there's only one thing that really matters tonight.
Nikola Jokic still leads the Nuggets with 21 points on the night.
Nikola Jokic still leads the Nuggets with 21 points on the night.
Not how anyone wanted it to happen, but DaRon Holmes II is getting some run to start the 4Q.
December 30, 2025 at 2:19 AM
Not how anyone wanted it to happen, but DaRon Holmes II is getting some run to start the 4Q.
I regret to inform you Jamal Murray is also moving gingerly late in the third quarter.
Heat up 10.
Heat up 10.
December 30, 2025 at 2:14 AM
I regret to inform you Jamal Murray is also moving gingerly late in the third quarter.
Heat up 10.
Heat up 10.
Nuggets announce Nikola Jokic is questionable to return with a left knee injury.
Jonas Valanciunas starts the second half in Jokic's place.
Jonas Valanciunas starts the second half in Jokic's place.
December 30, 2025 at 1:54 AM
Nuggets announce Nikola Jokic is questionable to return with a left knee injury.
Jonas Valanciunas starts the second half in Jokic's place.
Jonas Valanciunas starts the second half in Jokic's place.
After watching the replay, Jones steps on Jokic's left foot. Joker's knee moved in an unnatural fashion, and he was in more obvious pain than I've ever seen him in recent memory.
*second quarter.
Looks like Spencer Jones bumped into Jokic's knee. He limps back to the locker room on his own.
Looks like Spencer Jones bumped into Jokic's knee. He limps back to the locker room on his own.
Nikola Jokic is down, grabbing his left knee in the final seconds of the second half.
December 30, 2025 at 1:46 AM
After watching the replay, Jones steps on Jokic's left foot. Joker's knee moved in an unnatural fashion, and he was in more obvious pain than I've ever seen him in recent memory.