Friday night’s NBA action includes a matchup at Ball Arena between the Atlanta Hawks and the Denver Nuggets. The Hawks enter this contest coming off a solid win and looking to overcome significant roster changes in this matchup, while the Nuggets have been fighting through injuries but remain a top Western Conference squad. Here, I break down both rosters and make my Hawks vs Nuggets prediction in the betting markets.
Our Hawks vs Nuggets Pick ATS PRO
| Pick: | |
| Confidence: | 4/5 |
Game Snapshot
- Matchup: Atlanta Hawks @ Denver Nuggets
- Date & Time: Friday, January 9, 2026, 9:10 PM ET
- Venue: Ball Arena, Denver, Colorado
- Broadcast: NBA League Pass
Key Storylines
The Hawks (18-21) are in a transitional phase, having recently traded four-time All-Star guard Trae Young to the Washington Wizards. Young’s absence changes Atlanta’s offensive identity, putting more pressure on Jalen Johnson and role players like Zaccharie Risacher and Nickeil Alexander-Walker to produce consistently. Johnson has been impressive this season, averaging around 24 points and over 8 rebounds per game, and he showcased his all-around game with a triple-double in a recent win over the Knicks.
Atlanta got CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert in the Trae Young trade. McCollum’s expiring contract was the main selling point in that deal, but McCollum is still a useful player for the rest of this season. He is listed as questionable to make his Hawks debut in this contest in the Mile High City.
Denver (25-12) has handled adversity with key injuries, including the absence of superstar Nikola Jokic due to a knee injury. Despite that, the Nuggets recently secured a road win over the Celtics, led by Peyton Watson’s 30 points and Jamal Murray’s all-around contributions. Denver’s bench players are stepping up as the team copes with multiple absences, including Jonas Valanciunas to go along with Jokic, but head coach David Adelman has kept the club competitive and in playoff position in the West.
Head-to-Head & Betting Trends
- Denver won the first meeting between these teams by one point in Atlanta earlier in the season.
- Atlanta is 1-5 straight up in its last six road games against Denver.
- Denver is 22-15 against the spread this season.
- The total has gone under in 4 of Atlanta’s last 5 games.
Best Player Props to Watch ATS PRO
| Player | Prop |
|---|---|
| Jalen Johnson | |
| Peyton Watson | |
| Jamal Murray |
Atlanta Hawks vs Denver Nuggets Model Projection ATS PRO
Final Thoughts ATS PRO
