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Back-to-back NBA MVP Nikola Jokic has been ruled questionable by the Denver Nuggets for their game against the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday night. Jokic is dealing with right calf tightness, which has made his availability uncertain.’
The Nuggets will be playing their first game of a back-to-back set so it wouldn’t be a surprise if he gets the night off. Denver (51-24) has already clinched a postseason berth and is 3.5 ahead of the Memphis Grizzlies (48-28) for the best record in the Western Conference.
Keeping Jokic fresh and healthy will be a top priority, which could lead to his unavailability tonight.
Nikola Jokic is once again one of the leaders of the NBA MVP race. He is now neck-and-neck with Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid in the latest rankings released by the league.
“The Joker” is averaging 24.9 points, 11.9 rebounds, 9.4 assists and 1.2 steals in 67 games. He is hitting a staggering 63.4% of his shots, easily a career-high, including 39.0% from behind the arc, which is also a career-best.
Thomas Bryant and Zeke Nnaji are expected to get more minutes if Nikola Jokic is unavailable tonight. Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr.’s load on offense will also get a bump if the NBA MVP is sidelined.
Meanwhile, Robert Williams of the Boston Celtics has been ruled questionable by the team for injury management. Williams had surgery on his right knee twice last season, which is why the defending NBA Eastern Conference champs are still monitoring his load.
The defensive stalwart has also just returned from a long layoff due to a hamstring injury. He’s a banged-up important piece in the Celtics' goal of returning to the NBA Finals. Boston could give him the night off.
The Celtics will be playing their first game of a back-to-back schedule. If he plays tonight against the Milwaukee Bucks, he may get that rest on Friday night against the Philadelphia 76ers.
Jose Alvarado: Right tibial stress reaction; Injured since: February 28, 2023
Jose Alvarado hasn’t played NBA basketball since the New Orleans Pelicans' 101-93 loss to the Orlando Magic on February 28. The Pelicans ran another test on his right tibial stress injury last Mar. 22 and informed the media that his injury is healing slowly but steadily.
Alvarado will be re-evaluated in the first week of April, which means that he might not play again in the regular season. There’s a small chance that he could suit up for the New Orleans Pelicans if they manage to barge into the play-in tournament.
Zion Williamson: Right hamstring strain; January 2, 2023
NBA superstar Zion Williamson suffered a right hamstring injury on January 2 against the Philadelphia 76ers. He was reportedly healing as expected before the New Orleans Pelicans announced on Mar. 8 that he suffered a setback and will have another re-evaluation.
On March 22, “Zanos” was cleared to participate in on-court activities but was still far from a return. The NBA All-Star’s re-evaluation will be in two weeks.
There is slim hope that he can return in the regular season if the re-evaluation is positive. Otherwise, he will likely be available if the New Orleans Pelicans secure a spot in the play-in tournament.
