Houston Rockets vs Denver Nuggets Starting Lineups and Depth Charts

Updated Dec 15, after the final

Projected starting lineups and depth for both teams, by minutes over recent games: Houston Rockets at Denver Nuggets, 15 December 2025. The written preview, odds and model sit on the main preview page.

Projected Starting Fives

Minutes this season
Projected starting fives, Houston Rockets and Denver Nuggets
Houston RocketsPositionDenver Nuggets
Reed Sheppard
25.0 mpg · 10.7 pts
Reed Sheppard
PG
Jamal Murray
Jamal Murray
34.7 mpg · 25.4 pts
Amen Thompson
36.1 mpg · 15.4 pts
Amen Thompson
SG
Christian Braun
Christian Braun
29.5 mpg · 14.6 pts
Kevin Durant
35.4 mpg · 20.8 pts
Kevin Durant
SF
Cameron Johnson
Cameron Johnson
30.2 mpg · 9.0 pts
Jabari Smith Jr.
33.6 mpg · 17.6 pts
Jabari Smith Jr.
PF
Aaron Gordon
Aaron Gordon
28.4 mpg · 12.3 pts
Alperen Sengun
36.0 mpg · 22.4 pts
Alperen Sengun
C
Nikola Jokic
Nikola Jokic
34.7 mpg · 23.4 pts

Starters are not published in advance. These five are the heaviest minute-earners on each contracted roster who can cover all five positions between them. Every game's starting lineups →

Depth chart

Minutes this season
StarterRotation
PG
Point Guard
Starter
Reed SheppardReed Sheppard
10.7p · 2.3r · 3.7a
Min
25
2nd
Amen ThompsonAmen Thompson
15.4p · 6.3r · 3.3a
Min
36
SG
Shooting Guard
Starter
Amen ThompsonAmen Thompson
15.4p · 6.3r · 3.3a
Min
36
2nd
Reed SheppardReed Sheppard
10.7p · 2.3r · 3.7a
Min
25
3rd
Kevin DurantKevin Durant
20.8p · 5.2r · 3.0a
Min
35
4th
Jabari Smith Jr.Jabari Smith Jr.
17.6p · 6.1r · 2.3a
Min
34
5th
Tari EasonTari Eason
10.2p · 6.0r · 1.2a
Min
23
6th
Jae'Sean TateJae'Sean Tate
0.0p · 0.8r · 0.2a
Min
9
SF
Small Forward
Starter
Kevin DurantKevin Durant
20.8p · 5.2r · 3.0a
Min
35
2nd
Amen ThompsonAmen Thompson
15.4p · 6.3r · 3.3a
Min
36
3rd
Jabari Smith Jr.Jabari Smith Jr.
17.6p · 6.1r · 2.3a
Min
34
4th
Tari EasonTari Eason
10.2p · 6.0r · 1.2a
Min
23
5th
Jae'Sean TateJae'Sean Tate
0.0p · 0.8r · 0.2a
Min
9
6th
Isaiah CrawfordIsaiah Crawford
2.3p · 0.2r · 0.0a
Min
3
PF
Power Forward
Starter
Jabari Smith Jr.Jabari Smith Jr.
17.6p · 6.1r · 2.3a
Min
34
2nd
Alperen SengunAlperen Sengun
22.4p · 9.1r · 8.1a
Min
36
3rd
Kevin DurantKevin Durant
20.8p · 5.2r · 3.0a
Min
35
4th
Tari EasonTari Eason
10.2p · 6.0r · 1.2a
Min
23
5th
Jae'Sean TateJae'Sean Tate
0.0p · 0.8r · 0.2a
Min
9
6th
Isaiah CrawfordIsaiah Crawford
2.3p · 0.2r · 0.0a
Min
3
C
Center
Starter
Alperen SengunAlperen Sengun
22.4p · 9.1r · 8.1a
Min
36
2nd
Kevin DurantKevin Durant
20.8p · 5.2r · 3.0a
Min
35
3rd
Jabari Smith Jr.Jabari Smith Jr.
17.6p · 6.1r · 2.3a
Min
34
4th
Tari EasonTari Eason
10.2p · 6.0r · 1.2a
Min
23
5th
Jae'Sean TateJae'Sean Tate
0.0p · 0.8r · 0.2a
Min
9
6th
Isaiah CrawfordIsaiah Crawford
2.3p · 0.2r · 0.0a
Min
3
Quick answers2 questions

What are the Houston Rockets vs Denver Nuggets starting lineups?

For 15 December 2025, the Houston Rockets are expected to start Amen Thompson, Jabari Smith Jr., Kevin Durant, Alperen Sengun and Reed Sheppard. The Denver Nuggets are expected to start Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Cameron Johnson, Spencer Jones and Aaron Gordon. Each five comes from the team's recent starts, with injured players taken out.

Who is out for Rockets vs Nuggets?

For 15 December 2025, the Houston Rockets are without 5 players: Steven Adams (Out), Clint Capela (Out), Quadir Copeland (Out), Julian Phillips (Out) and Bruce Thornton (Out), and the Denver Nuggets are without 1 player: Julian Strawther (Out). Statuses come from the latest injury report and update through the day until tip-off.