Denver Nuggets vs Orlando Magic: preview and player stats (Mar 20, 2027)

G League - Two-Way (2026-11-14, DEN@NOP).

Injury/Illness - Left Knee Sprain (2026-11-14, DEN@NOP). Prior reporting (2026-10-17): Strawther (knee) was diagnosed with a left knee sprain Friday and will be re-evaluated in six weeks, Vinny Benedetto of The Denver Gazette reports. Strawther suffered the injury in Wednesday's preseason game against the Clippers. The 24-year-old has appeared in 172 regular-season games for the Nuggets since entering the league in 2023, averaging 7.1 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.1 assists over 16.2 minutes per contest. He was in line to compete for an expanded role during the 2026-27 campaign. While that may be the case once Strawther is cleared to suit up, Tyus Jones and potentially Ryan Nembhard are candidates to receive more minutes in the interim.

G League - Two-Way (2026-11-14, DEN@NOP).

G League - On Assignment (2026-11-14, DEN@NOP).

Banchero is expected to be sidelined for the next four-to-six weeks due to a right high-ankle sprain, Shams Charania of ESPN reports. Banchero left during Friday's loss against the Timberwolves due to an ankle injury, and follow-up tests have confirmed a high-ankle sprain for the fifth-year forward. With an extended absence expected, the Magic will have to rely more heavily on Franz Wagner and Desmond Bane offensively, and Tristan da Silva figures to be the top candidate to enter the Magic's starting lineup for as long as Banchero is sidelined.

Isaac (knee) is out for Tuesday's game against Sacramento. Isaac has yet to make his 2026-27 debut while continuing his rehab from a left knee injury. His next opportunity to take the court will arrive Wednesday in Utah.

Penda (hamstring) is making progress but remains without a timetable to return to game action, Jason Beede of the Orlando Sentinel reports. Penda suffered a partially torn hamstring in the preseason and can still be considered week-to-week moving forward. With the second-year forward and Paolo Banchero (ankle) both sidelined, Tristan da Silva and Jamal Cain should continue seeing increased minutes.

Team president Jeff Weltman said Monday that Nelson (ankle) remains about a month away from returning to the court after offseason surgery, per Philip Rossman-Reich of OrlandoMagicDaily.com. With Nelson still in recovery mode from the left ankle surgery he underwent this summer, his path back to game action remains delayed for the early part of the season. The rookie big man is on a two-way contract with the Magic, so his short-term absence mainly affects his developmental timeline rather than Orlando's regular rotation.