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Reigning NBA MVP Nikola Jokic has landed on the Denver Nuggets’ injury report due to right calf tightness. The Nuggets, who will be playing their first game of a back-to-back set against the New Orleans Pelicans, may give him the night off.
Denver may be extra cautious with Jokic who hasn’t missed a game since Feb. 5, when the Nuggets lost 128-98 to the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Nuggets sidelined him on the back end of consecutive games.
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The Denver Nuggets (51-24) have already secured a playoff berth. They are 3.5 games ahead of the Memphis Grizzlies (48-28) for the best record in the Western Conference with seven games remaining.
The cushion in the standings could allow them to give Nikola Jokic a breather as they prepare for the playoffs. Jokic has been a workhorse for the Nuggets yet again, having already played 67 games this season.
The team will want the five-time All-Star to be fresh and healthy for the start of the postseason. Jokic played the Nuggets’ last two sets of back-to-back games but it wouldn’t be a surprise if he’s in street clothes versus the Pelicans.
If Nikola Jokic is unavailable, Zeke Nnaji or Thomas Bryant could be head coach Mike Malone’s starting center tonight.
The back-to-back MVP was a full participant in his team’s practice heading into tonight’s match-up, but inclusion on the injury report isn’t surprising.
He may be available for Friday's road game versus the Phoenix Suns.
What is Nikola Jokic’s impact on the Denver Nuggets?
Nikola Jokic was not expected to drag the Denver Nuggets into the playoffs last season while playing with an injury-ravaged supporting cast.
With the roster healthier than last year, the Nuggets are at the top of the Western Conference and could clinch the top spot.
Jokic’s numbers have simply been spectacular. He is averaging 24.9 points on career-high shooting from the field at 63.4%, including 39.0% from deep, which is also a career-high. The “Joker” is also averaging 11.9 rebounds, 9.9 assists and 1.2 steals.
Jokic is once again one of the favorites to win the MVP award.
You may also like to read: Why is Nikola Jokic called The Joker?
