Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic will be absent from Friday night’s game against the New Orleans Pelicans due to personal reasons, as confirmed by the team’s injury report. Although initially listed as questionable, Jokic will not be taking the court as the Nuggets kick off a three-game road trip in New Orleans. The three-time MVP has been instrumental in Denver’s recent success, averaging 29.7 points, 13.7 rebounds, and 11.7 assists per game on impressive shooting percentages. The Nuggets, with a 7-3 record, have won five consecutive games and seven of their last eight following a shaky start to the season.
Jokic’s absence will be felt against the struggling Pelicans, who have lost six straight games and are missing key players such as Zion Williamson, Dejounte Murray, CJ McCollum, Herb Jones, Jordan Hawkins, and Jose Alvarado due to injuries. Meanwhile, Nuggets forward Vlatko Cancar is upgraded to questionable after recovering from a right ankle sprain, while Aaron Gordon remains sidelined with a right calf strain for the entire road trip.
Despite Jokic’s absence, Denver will be looking to continue their winning streak and maintain their strong start to the season. Fans can stay updated with all the latest Nuggets news by signing up for the Nuggets Insider for in-depth NBA analysis.
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