Nuggets Look for Rotation Answers in Preseason Rematch With Jazz

Denver should be sharper in a second look at Utah, even if the preseason rotations stay unsettled.

DEN @ UTA Oct 7, 2026 at 1:00 AM UTC

Utah won the first preseason meeting 109-97, and Denver arrives in Salt Lake City with some clear things to clean up. The Nuggets had only two players score in double figures, led by Strawther and Gordon. The Jazz had five, with Lauri Markkanen scoring 17 and Keyonte George 15. That kind of balance is a good early sign for Utah, but preseason scoring spread often reflects minutes and experimentation as much as anything else.

Jamal Murray's status is the biggest thing to watch. He was out or questionable last time, which put Tyus Jones in the starting lineup and changed Denver's backcourt. If Murray is unavailable again, expect more of the same. Jusuf Nurkić and Spencer Jones also carried questionable tags, so availability on both sides could shape the rotations.

Denver kept its starting group but overhauled the bench, adding DeMar DeRozan, Marvin Bagley III and Trevon Brazile. Those new combinations are what the Nuggets most need to test, and a second game together should bring more cohesion than a preseason opener did. Alpha Diallo is the individual storyline. Coach Adelman said he was "awesome in the second half," and another strong defensive showing would strengthen his case for minutes.

Utah has the benefit of a win and a balanced scoring night, but one 12-point result in October doesn't say much about how the rematch will go. I expect Denver's established starters and deeper veteran bench to settle in better this time. Utah should stay competitive through its scoring depth, but the Nuggets edge a close one.

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