Christian Braun

Braun has only appeared in three games since suffering a sprained ankle on November 12, with his most recent action coming on January 9. As for Johnson, he has been out since December 23. With Nikola Jokic (knee) and Aaron Gordon (hamstring) also out, the Nuggets are currently down four starters. While Braun and Johnson weren't having great seasons at the time of their respective injuries, their absences opened the door for others to step up, most notably Peyton Watson, who has a case to remain a starter even after the Nuggets return to full strength.

Thursday's absence makes it 11 consecutive games on the bench for Braun, who is still dealing with a sprained left ankle. Jalen Pickett has been the replacement in the starting lineup and should retain that role until Braun is healthy enough to play.

Brooklyn Nets (12-33, 13th in the Eastern Conference) vs. Denver Nuggets (31-16, third in the Western Conference)Denver; Thursday, 9 p.m. ESTBOTTOM LINE: Brooklyn is looking to stop its six-game slide with a victory against Denver.The Nuggets are 12-9 in home games. Denver is fourth in the Western Conference with 28.0 assists per game led by Jamal Murray averaging 7.4.The Nets are 6-16 in road games. Brooklyn averages 14.6 turnovers per game and is 3-11 when turning the ball over less than opponents.The Nuggets average 13.8 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.1 more made shots on average than the 12.7 per game the Nets give up. The Nuggets average 107.8 points per game, 8.2 fewer points than the 116.0 the Nuggets give up to opponents.The teams square off for the second time this season. The Nets won the last meeting 127-115 on Jan. 4, with Michael Porter Jr. scoring 27 points in the win.TOP PERFORMERS: Murray is averaging 25.9 points and 7.4 assists for the Nuggets. Tim Hardaway Jr. is averaging 2.7 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.Porter is scoring 25.2 points per game with 7.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists for the Nets. Nic Claxton is averaging 9.7 points and 6.6 rebounds while shooting 55.8% over the last 10 games.LAST 10 GAMES: Nuggets: 6-4, averaging 106.6 points, 40.0 rebounds, 24.0 assists, 6.4 steals and 4.5 blocks per game while shooting 45.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 108.5 points per game.Nets: 1-9, averaging 103.0 points, 39.8 rebounds, 25.1 assists, 6.9 steals and 4.4 blocks per game while shooting 43.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 117.3 points.INJURIES: Nuggets: Cameron Johnson: out (knee), Tamar Bates: out (foot), Aaron Gordon: out (hamstring), Nikola Jokic: out (knee), Christian Braun: out (ankle).Nets: Tyrese Martin: out (knee), Haywood Highsmith: out (knee), Noah Clowney: out (back).___The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Brooklyn Nets (12-33, 13th in the Eastern Conference) vs. Denver Nuggets (31-16, third in the Western Conference)Denver; Thursday, 9 p.m. ESTBOTTOM LINE: Brooklyn is looking to stop its six-game slide with a victory against Denver.The Nuggets are 12-9 in home games. Denver is fourth in the Western Conference with 28.0 assists per game led by Jamal Murray averaging 7.4.The Nets are 6-16 in road games. Brooklyn averages 14.6 turnovers per game and is 3-11 when turning the ball over less than opponents.The Nuggets average 13.8 made 3-pointers per game this season, 1.1 more made shots on average than the 12.7 per game the Nets give up. The Nuggets average 107.8 points per game, 8.2 fewer points than the 116.0 the Nuggets give up to opponents.The teams square off for the second time this season. The Nets won the last meeting 127-115 on Jan. 4, with Michael Porter Jr. scoring 27 points in the win.TOP PERFORMERS: Murray is averaging 25.9 points and 7.4 assists for the Nuggets. Tim Hardaway Jr. is averaging 2.7 made 3-pointers over the last 10 games.Porter is scoring 25.2 points per game with 7.2 rebounds and 3.2 assists for the Nets. Nic Claxton is averaging 9.7 points and 6.6 rebounds while shooting 55.8% over the last 10 games.LAST 10 GAMES: Nuggets: 6-4, averaging 106.6 points, 40.0 rebounds, 24.0 assists, 6.4 steals and 4.5 blocks per game while shooting 45.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 108.5 points per game.Nets: 1-9, averaging 103.0 points, 39.8 rebounds, 25.1 assists, 6.9 steals and 4.4 blocks per game while shooting 43.1% from the field. Their opponents have averaged 117.3 points.INJURIES: Nuggets: Cameron Johnson: out (knee), Tamar Bates: out (foot), Aaron Gordon: out (hamstring), Nikola Jokic: out (knee), Christian Braun: out (ankle).Nets: Tyrese Martin: out (knee), Haywood Highsmith: out (knee), Noah Clowney: out (back).___The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

Tuesday's game will be the tenth that Braun has missed as the team looks to get his left ankle right. With Jamal Murray (hamstring, hip) listed as probable, his return will likely push Julian Strawther to the bench. There's no need to stream Strawther when he's used in a reserve role.