The Denver Nuggets will have to make do without superstar Nikola Jokic for at least one more game. The reigning two-time MVP is listed as questionable for Tuesday’s matchup against the Detroit Pistons because he is still in health and safety protocols. This could be Jokic’s fourth game in a row. As a result, DeAndre Jordan and Zeke Nanaji will continue to see extended minutes for the Nuggets.
Point guard Jamal Murray is expected to miss Tuesday night’s game due to health and safety protocols. Surprisingly, the Nuggets are still listed as favorites by many betting sites going into this game. This is largely due to the Pistons owning a terrible 3-15 winning record. Additionally, Cade Cunningham and Isaiah Stewart are also expected to miss time. Regardless, the Denver Nuggets are still in for a tough challenge without their MVP floor general.
Tuesday and the Pistons’ injury report:
– Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray – Skeptic
– Aaron Gordon – Questioner
– Ish Smith – Questioner
– Bone Highlander – can be
– Jeff Green – OutEarn more Zeke Nnaji minutes.
— Harrison Wind (@HarrisonWind) November 21, 2022
Nikola Jokic isn’t putting up the crazy totals he did last season, but he’s in the top five of the MVP rankings right now for a reason. Remember that the season is still young and the team is integrating many new players. So far, the Serbian sensation is averaging 20.8 points, 9.5 total rebounds and 8.9 assists per game. Not to mention, he’s shooting 60.6 percent from the field to pair with 87.5 percent free throws.
Nikola Jokic and company wishes for this year’s championship
While it won’t be easy for the Nuggets to weather this brief storm, it’s important for the team to realize that this will be short-lived. Thankfully, this is earlier in the year than the playoffs. After last season where the Nuggets were short-handed, many felt this team needed to get fully healthy.
It is easy to see why many share this sentiment. The Denver Nuggets currently have +1800 championship odds per BetOnline. This is currently the eight best odds. However, Denver will definitely need their two best players in Jokic and Murray if they want to reach the Promised Land. Especially if the effort shown in Friday night’s loss to the Dallas Mavericks was any indication.
The Nuggets won back to back Sunday in their rematch against the Mavericks. Michael Porter Jr.’s clutch three-pointer with less than a minute left in the game sealed the impressive one-point victory. If this is anything to go by, it’s proven that Denver’s depth has improved greatly this year. It also proved that unlike last season, if a key player goes down, they can hang on for a game or two. The damage was evident when the Golden State Warriors defeated Denver in five games in the first round.
The Nuggets have a strong chance of coming off a winning record without their league MVP. However, this absence highlighted why he is the current MVP. The Nuggets rarely look like a playoff team without him. Still, the matchup against Detroit will be another chance for the fans to gain valuable experience together and for head coach Michael Malone to try out different lineups.
