Nuggets' Julian Strawther: Moves outside of rotation
Rotowire
Strawther (coach's decision) went unused off the bench Monday in the Nuggets' 119-114 loss to the Timberwolves in Game 2 of a first-round playoff series.
Strawther appeared in each of the Nuggets' final 11 regular-season games and averaged 8.7 points, 2.1 rebounds, 1.5 three-pointers and 1.3 assists in 15.5 minutes per contest over that stretch. However, head coach David Adelman has dropped the third-year wing from Denver's rotation for both of the team's first two postseason contests. Unless Denver loses one of its key players to injury at some point during its playoff run, Strawther's opportunities could be largely limited to garbage-time scenarios.
... See More... See Less
Nuggets' Julian Strawther: Coming off bench for Game 1
Rotowire
Strawther is not in Denver's starting lineup against Minnesota for Game 1 of the first round of the Western Conference playoffs Saturday.
Strawther started in each of the Nuggets' final two games of the regular season and averaged 23.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 4.0 threes and 1.5 steals over 34.0 minutes. He'll come off the bench for Saturday's game while the Nuggets roll with a starting five of Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Cameron Johnson, Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun.
... See More... See Less
Nuggets' Julian Strawther: Scores 25 vs. San Antonio
Rotowire
Strawther notched 25 points (9-19 FG, 4-8 3Pt, 3-4 FT), six rebounds, three assists and one steal across 34 minutes during Sunday's 128-118 win over San Antonio.
Strawther made a strong case to be considered for playing time in the postseason after scoring 22 points against the Thunder and 25 against the Spurs on Friday and Sunday, respectively. Strawther should return to his regular bench in the playoffs, though. He ends the 2025-26 regular season with averages of 7.2 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game while starting in 14 of his 57 appearances.
... See More... See Less
Nuggets' Julian Strawther: Starting vs. OKC
Rotowire
Strawther will start Friday's game against the Thunder, Justin Martinez of The Oklahoman reports.
Denver will be without its usual starting five Friday, opening the door for Strawther to rejoin the first unit. As a starter this season (12 games), the 23-year-old swingman has averaged 13.3 points, 2.8 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 25.2 minutes per contest.
... See More... See Less
Nuggets' Julian Strawther: Hits for 18 against Lakers
Rotowire
Strawther closed Thursday's 120-113 victory over the Lakers with 18 points (6-10 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 4-5 FT), two rebounds and one steal over 29 minutes.
The third-year forward has started 11 straight games dating back to Feb. 7, but Strawther's production has been erratic of late as he's scored in single digits in three of the last six. Over that 11-game stretch, he's averaging 12.7 points, 2.6 boards, 1.9 threes, 1.3 assists and 0.8 steals in 25.0 minutes. Strawther's role is likely to be reduced when Aaron Gordon (hamstring) and Cameron Johnson (ankle) return to action.
... See More... See Less
Nuggets' Julian Strawther: Probable for Friday
Rotowire
Strawther is probable for Friday's game against the Thunder with a left toe sprain.
Strawther is primed to play through the injury Friday, and he's worth considering as a streamer. The sharpshooter has started seven consecutive games, averaging 15.0 points, 3.3 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.0 steals and 2.3 three-pointers in 26.6 minutes per tilt.
... See More... See Less
Nuggets' Julian Strawther: Logs 20 points in second start
Rotowire
Strawther closed Monday's 119-117 loss to the Cavaliers with 20 points (8-16 FG, 2-6 3Pt, 2-3 FT) and six rebounds over 29 minutes.
Strawther put together another solid number in his second start of the season. He's coming in handy as a placeholder amid absences from Peyton Watson (hamstring) and Spencer Jones (concussion). Jones may return before the All-Star break, which may send Strawther back to the bench.
... See More... See Less
Nuggets' Julian Strawther: Starting Saturday
Rotowire
Strawther will start against the Bulls on Saturday.
The 23-year-old wing will get the starting nod for the second time this season due to Aaron Gordon (hamstring), Peyton Watson (hamstring) and Spencer Jones (concussion) being sidelined. During his lone start this season in a Jan. 23 win over Milwaukee, Strawther posted 20 points, five rebounds, three assists and one steal across 27 minutes.
... See More... See Less
Nuggets' Julian Strawther: Drops 15 points in loss
Rotowire
Strawther finished Tuesday's 124-121 loss to the Pistons with 15 points (6-9 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 2-2 FT), eight rebounds and two assists over 23 minutes.
Strawther scored in double digits for the first time in the past five games, and for just the fifth time this season. With Spencer Jones nearing his games-allowed limit, Strawther was able to play a meaningful role, something that can't be said for his season thus far. At this point, Strawther is simply a name to watch, just in case Denver doesn't convert Jones' contract.
... See More... See Less
Nuggets' Julian Strawther: Paces Denver in win
Rotowire
Strawther logged 20 points (6-13 FG, 1-6 3Pt, 7-8 FT), five rebounds, three assists and one steal across 27 minutes during Friday's 102-100 win over Milwaukee.
Strawther made his first start of the season with Jamal Murray (hamstring/hip), Christian Braun (ankle) and Peyton Watson (ankle) sidelined and capitalized on the opportunity by leading Denver in scoring during a win. The Gonzaga product entered Friday averaging just 3.8 points and 1.3 rebounds in 9.7 minutes across 22 appearances, inconsistently factoring into the regular rotation. While his usage is likely to dip as the Nuggets get healthier, outings like this can help keep Strawther in the mix for minutes moving forward.
... See More... See Less
Nuggets' Julian Strawther: Will start vs. Milwaukee
Rotowire
Strawther will start Friday's game against the Bucks.
With the Nuggets shorthanded on the second night of a back-to-back set, Strawther will get the starting nod for the first time this season. He's averaging 3.8 points and 1.3 rebounds in just 9.7 minutes per game, though he should see a significant uptick in playing time Friday.
... See More... See Less
Nuggets' Julian Strawther: Adds 15 points vs. Hornets
Rotowire
Strawther finished Sunday's 110-87 loss to the Hornets with 15 points (5-7 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 3-3 FT), two rebounds, two assists and two steals in 20 minutes.
Strawther played his most minutes since Nov. 8 in Sunday's blowout loss to the Hornets. The 23-year-old forward took advantage of his increased reps, scoring a season-high 15 points. Strawther hasn't been a consistent part of Denver's rotation, even with the team dealing with multiple injuries, averaging just 10.9 minutes per game since December.
... See More... See Less
Nuggets' Julian Strawther: Good to go Friday
Rotowire
Strawther (illness) is available for Friday's game against the Cavaliers.
As expected, Strawther will suit up after being listed as probable. While he hasn't been a consistent part of the rotation all season long, the third-year wing is a candidate for extra run due to the Nuggets being extremely shorthanded for the next few games.
... See More... See Less
Nuggets' Julian Strawther: Probable for Friday
Rotowire
Strawther (illness) is probable for Friday's game against the Cavaliers.
Strawther is averaging 11.0 minutes per game over his last seven outings, so this news won't have a big impact in fantasy hoops.
... See More... See Less
Nuggets' Julian Strawther: Good to go Monday
Rotowire
Strawther (back) has been cleared to play Monday against the Rockets.
Strawther was listed on the injury report as questionable after missing 12 straight games with a back injury, but he's been given the green light to suit up Monday evening. He'll presumably be on some sort of restriction in his first game back.
... See More... See Less
Nuggets' Julian Strawther: Practices Sunday
Rotowire
Nuggets head coach David Adelman said that Strawther (back) "went pretty hard" at Sunday's practice, and he's hopeful that the forward will be able to return sometime this upcoming week.
Strawther has been taking contact and ramping up his workload at recent practices, so he appears to be on the cusp of a return. Adelman said he will check with the Denver medical staff on Strawther's status ahead of Monday's matchup with the Rockets, so for now, the latter should be considered questionable for the contest.
... See More... See Less
Nuggets' Julian Strawther: Faces uncertain timeline for return
Rotowire
Nuggets head coach David Adelman suggested Monday that Strawther (lower back) isn't close to returning to action, Bennett Durando of The Denver Post reports. "He's been doing minimal movement stuff," Adelman said. "He was on the exercise machines [Monday]. I think it's just a process of the [medicine] working and then seeing where it leads to, just through activity. [But] not basketball activity or physicality."
Strawther will miss his eighth straight game Monday against the Mavericks, and given the lack of progress in his recovery from an injury that the Nuggets are labeling as "lower back injury management," the third-year wing appears unlikely to play at any point during Denver's four-game week. The timing of the injury is unfortunate for Strawther, who likely would have had a chance to stake a claim to a rotation spot while Aaron Gordon (hamstring) and Christian Braun (ankle) are facing long-term absences.
... See More... See Less
Nuggets' Julian Strawther: Downgraded to out
Rotowire
Strawther (back) won't play Monday against the Bulls.
Strawther will miss his first matchup since Nov. 5 due to a back injury. Bruce Brown and Jalen Pickett could pick up a few additional minutes in Strawther's absence.
... See More... See Less
Nuggets' Julian Strawther: Probable for Wednesday
Rotowire
Strawther (back) is probable for Wednesday's game against Miami.
Strawther is dealing with some low back pain, but he's expected to play through it Wednesday. He's been mostly outside of the rotation for Denver with an average of 5.6 minutes across four appearances.
... See More... See Less
Nuggets' Julian Strawther: Logs 11 minutes in win
Rotowire
Strawther provided six points (2-7 FG, 1-5 3Pt, 1-2 FT), two rebounds and two assists across 11 minutes during Wednesday's 122-88 victory over New Orleans.
Strawther logged a season-high 11 minutes, continuing what has been a quiet start for the score-first guard. Despite averaging a career-high 21.3 minutes during the 2024-25 season, it appears as though Strawther has slipped down the pecking order, likely as a result of the addition of Bruce Brown and Tim Hardaway. At this point, Strawther seems destined to serve as a depth piece, rather than a meaningful part of the rotation.
