Denver Nuggets star center Nikola Jokic was ruled out for Tuesday night’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies, marking the third consecutive game he has missed due to personal reasons.
The 7-foot, three-time Most Valuable Player is leading the Nuggets in points (29.7), rebounds (13.7), and assists (11.7). Denver has lost both of their recent games—against New Orleans on Friday and Memphis on Sunday—while Jokic has been absent.
The Nuggets are playing their second game in Memphis before heading back to Denver.
Coach Michael Malone was unsure if Jokic would be available for Friday’s home game against Dallas.
“I have no idea about Friday,” Malone said before the game on Tuesday. “Obviously, there’s no news out of Denver. So we will revisit that when we get home.”
The Nuggets have faced difficulties without Jokic.
In Sunday’s loss, the Grizzlies out-rebounded the Nuggets, including grabbing 10 offensive rebounds. Denver also committed 15 turnovers and shot 41.7%. Along with Jokic, the Nuggets are also missing forward Aaron Gordon, another important part of the team’s offense.
“We shouldn’t play in a different way,” Malone said about playing without Jokic. “Obviously, you don’t have a three-time MVP. I think we have to play harder. That should be with Nikola or without Nikola. I think we have to play more physical.”
