Nuggets and Jazz to face off in Boulder for preseason matchup
NBA basketball is back in Boulder this fall, as the Denver Nuggets announced on Tuesday that the University of Colorado will host their first preseason game against the Utah Jazz. This game marks the fourth time that CU has hosted a Nuggets preseason matchup, most recently in 2015 when they faced the Chicago Bulls.
It will also bring former Buffs star KJ Simpson back to the CU Events Center for the first time since his stellar 2024 season. Simpson led the team in both points and assists, averaging 19.7 points per game and 4.9 assists over 37 games. After earning two first-team All-Pac 12 honors, he was drafted in the second round of the 2024 NBA draft by the Charlotte Hornets. He appeared in 36 games during his rookie season, averaging 7.8 points per game. Simpson’s playing time was limited in his second NBA season after the Hornets released him, signing a two-way contract with Denver in February.
Just a week and a half ago, this game would have been a potential reunion for former teammates Simpson and CU lottery pick Cody Williams. However, Williams was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Aug. 29.
As for the rest of the Nuggets’ 2026 preseason schedule, they’ll face the Jazz once again in Utah on Oct. 6 and the Bulls back at home on Oct. 11. The team will wrap things up in Los Angeles with games against the Clippers and Lakers on Oct. 14 and 16.
Tickets for the game in Boulder will go on sale to the public this Thursday, Sept. 10, and CU Boulder students can buy student section tickets by signing up for the NuggetsU ticket program.
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