New Orleans Pelicans vs Denver Nuggets

Energy will be high at Ball Arena in Denver this Wednesday, October 29, 2025, when the reigning champions, the Denver Nuggets, host the New Orleans Pelicans in a Western Conference showdown. Tip-off is set for 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time, and anticipation is building as both teams aim to build early momentum in the new season. Denver has looked sharp at home so far, while New Orleans is eager to prove it can compete on the road despite dealing with key injuries and lineup adjustments heading into the matchup.

The Pelicans travel to Denver with uncertainty around their frontcourt. Zion Williamson remains questionable due to ongoing foot soreness, while Kevon Looney has been ruled out with a knee injury. Their absences leave the Pelicans thin inside, forcing coach Willie Green to lean on Larry Nance Jr. and rookie Yves Missi for frontcourt minutes. Denver, meanwhile, enters the game in relatively good health. Jamal Murray is available despite minor back stiffness earlier in the week, but forward Cam Johnson could sit out with a shoulder issue. With both teams experimenting with rotations, expect more floor time for bench contributors like Dyson Daniels for New Orleans and Peyton Watson for Denver.

Tactically, Michael Malone’s Denver Nuggets continue to rely on their signature inside-out rhythm led by Nikola Jokić. The offense flows through him at the high post, using cutting lanes for shooters like Michael Porter Jr. and spacing the floor with Aaron Gordon’s versatility. Denver’s focus remains on disciplined half-court execution and limiting turnovers, especially against a Pelicans team that thrives in transition. Willie Green, on the other hand, has stressed the importance of tempo and ball movement. Without Williamson’s inside presence, the Pelicans plan to rely more heavily on perimeter scoring through CJ McCollum and Brandon Ingram, using quick rotations and pick-and-pop actions to test Denver’s switching defense.

The press narrative leading into the game has zeroed in on two themes: Denver’s consistency versus New Orleans’ need for adaptability. Local media in Louisiana have questioned whether the Pelicans’ secondary scorers can shoulder the offensive load, particularly if Williamson is unavailable. In Denver, reporters highlight how Jokić’s early-season form has again established him as the league’s most dominant playmaker. National coverage has called this a potential “measuring stick” game for the Pelicans — a chance to see if their depth can handle an elite Western opponent in a hostile environment.

Studio analysts before tip-off have echoed similar sentiments. Discussions on NBA pregame panels have centered on whether New Orleans’ defense can contain Jokić’s distribution while keeping Denver’s shooters in check. Former players on air have pointed out that the Pelicans’ only chance lies in pushing the pace and forcing Denver into uncomfortable defensive rotations. Most analysts favor the Nuggets, citing their superior chemistry, home-court advantage, and Jokić’s unmatched control of the game’s tempo. However, there’s also cautious intrigue — if McCollum and Ingram catch fire early, the Pelicans could make things far more competitive than the odds suggest.