Nikola Jokic was in road garments on account of lingering calf tightness that bothered him Monday evening in a victory over Philadelphia.
Kia MVP candidate Nikola Jokic was dominated out of Thursday evening’s recreation in opposition to the New Orleans Pelicans on account of proper calf tightness. The Nuggets’ five-time All-Star was listed as questionable within the hours main up Denver’s 107-88 loss, which snapped the staff’s 4-game win streak.
Harm Replace: Vlatko Čančar and Peyton Watson can be found for tonight’s recreation vs. the Pelicans.
Nikola Jokić is OUT. #MileHighBasketball pic.twitter.com/1pAG9yqctM
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) March 31, 2023
One other standard-breaking season by Jokic has him vying to turn into simply the fourth participant in NBA historical past to win the MVP award in three consecutive seasons. Invoice Russell, Wilt Chamberlain and Larry Fowl had been the others.
Jamal Murray had 21 factors for Denver, and Bruce Brown added 19. The Nuggets lead within the Western Convention dropped to 3 video games over Memphis with six to play.
“I don’t give it some thought that a lot, simply attempting to win ever evening,” Brown mentioned. “As a result of we’ve obtained a little bit lead we’re centered on us attempting to play our greatest each evening.”
Nuggets coach Michael Malone mentioned after the sport that Murray, who performed 36 minutes, could not play Friday evening in Phoenix and Jokic’s standing is to be decided.
Recreation Recap: Pelicans 107, Nuggets 88
Malone added that Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was nearly held out as a result of he wasn’t feeling good however he gutted out 28 minutes.
The previous second-round decide is averaging 24.9 factors, 11.9 rebounds and 9.9 assists whereas capturing 63.4% general and 39% from 3-point vary. Jokic has the Nuggets (51-25) closing in on clinching the No. 1 seed within the Western Convention for the primary time in franchise historical past. Denver has not made the NBA Finals since becoming a member of the league from the ABA in 1976.
