The Houston Rockets will make the trip to Colorado’s Ball Arena to take on their Western Conference rival Denver Nuggets on the road this Monday (Dec. 15) evening for a battle for the Western Conference bragging rights. The Rockets and the Nuggets are both dealing with some injures to important players, but are otherwise fairly evenly matched heading into this contest.
We think the Nuggets are likely to get the dub with home court advantage on their side for this tilt. But this should be one of the more intense battles we expect for Houston before Christmas this season, so it could go either way.
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Records, standing, and streaks
At present, the Rockets have a 16-6 record, which puts them in the Western Conference standings’ third-place slot.
Nov 21, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) shoots the ball as Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) defends during the fourth quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
The Nuggets are the owners of an 18-6 record, good enough for second in the West.
What happened in the last game for each team?
Houston beat the Los Angeles Clippers 115-113 at home.
Nov 21, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets guard Reed Sheppard (15) reacts after scoring a baskset during the second quarter against the Denver Nuggets at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
Denver beat the Sacramento Kings 136-105 on the road.
Injuries
For Houston, Tari Eason (oblique), Dorian Finney-Smith (ankle) and Fred VanVleet (ACL) are out.
Nov 21, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Rockets forward Kevin Durant (7) looks to pass the ball as Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) defends during the second quarter at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
For Denver, Christian Braun (ankle) and Aaron Gordon (hamstring) are out, and Julian Strawther (back) is questionable.
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Probable starting lineups – Houston
HOUSTON, TEXAS – NOVEMBER 24: Alperen Sengun #28 of the Houston Rockets grabs a rebound as Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets defends in the second quarter of an NBA In-Season Tournament game at Toyota Center on November 24, 2023 in Houston, Texas. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Alex Bierens de Haan/Getty Images)
Probable starting lineups – DenverHere’s when you should tune in to see the game:
TV Channel: Space City Home Network
This article originally appeared on Rockets Wire: Rockets at Nuggets: Stream, lineups, injury reports, broadcast (12/15)