Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić is set to sit out Wednesday’s game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, marking only the second absence for the All-NBA player this season.
The decision is attributed to lower back pain, a concern he previously faced on November 27, the sole other game he missed this season. In that instance, Denver managed to secure a 113-104 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on the road.
The impending clash carries significance as the Northwest Division standings reveal a mere half-game difference between the Nuggets (33-15) and the Thunder (32-15), with the Minnesota Timberwolves leading the division at 33-14.
Jokić’s absence is notable, as Denver will be without his impressive contributions of 26.3 points, 12.1 rebounds, and nine assists per game. His absence from the lineup is a notable loss, given that his rebounding and assist averages rank third and fourth in the league, respectively.
In their most recent game on Monday, a 113-107 victory against the Milwaukee Bucks, Jokić demonstrated his prowess with 25 points, 16 rebounds, and 12 assists. The game against the Thunder marks the fourth and final meeting between the two teams this season, with the Nuggets currently trailing 1-2 in the season series.
