FILE PHOTO: Dec 17, 2021; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) handles the ball against the Atlanta Hawks in the first quarter at State Farm Arena. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
The Denver Nuggets have suffered a significant setback as their star center, Nikola Jokic, will miss his third consecutive game due to a strained calf.
This issue initially surfaced during their NBA match against the Milwaukee Bucks on March 25 and continued to trouble him during their recent game against Philadelphia.
Coach Malone highlighted that Jokic’s absence was not a tactical decision but was instead caused by a sincere concern for his health.
Jokic is the current two-time MVP and a leading candidate for this year’s MVP award, but the Denver Nuggets have officially announced that he won’t be taking the court against the Warriors.
Coach Malone emphasized that the team is taking a calculated approach to Nikola Jokic’s health. He explained that the worst-case scenario would be if Jokic continued to play through his injury, as it could aggravate the issue and potentially keep him out of the game for an extended period. Therefore, the team has decided to be cautious with their star player, prioritizing his long-term health over short-term gains.
“It’s just us being smart about it, “The worst-case scenario is he plays and it creates a much bigger issue where he’s out for an extended period of time.” Malone said.
When Nikola Jokic is not playing and is on the sidelines, the Nuggets are outscored by 12.2 points per 100 possessions, which is worse than the worst point differential in the league. Furthermore, in Jokic’s absence, they have the worst offensive rating in the league.
Denver is poised to secure the advantage of playing on their home court in the Western Conference. If they win just one of their remaining four games, or if Memphis loses a single game, the Nuggets will secure the top spot in the conference standings, a feat that they have never accomplished in their franchise history.
The Golden State Warriors, who are now in fifth place in the West, have a great opportunity to win this game and improve their standing in the conference. Since Jokic is the finest player on the team and one of the best in the league, the Nuggets struggle without him.”
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