The Denver Nuggets were without their two biggest stars Wednesday night, as both Nikola Jokić (bruised right elbow) and Jamal Murray (sprained right ankle) sat out their 120-108 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers.
This marked the second straight game both players missed, despite their attempts to play after participating in pregame workouts.
Jokić & Murray’s Impact on the Nuggets
The absence of Jokić and Murray was significant, as the duo has been responsible for:
🔹 50.6 PPG
🔹 16.6 RPG
🔹 16.4 APG
🔹 3.2 SPG
Denver still managed to defeat Golden State without them on Monday, but their luck ran out against the LeBron James-less Lakers on Wednesday.
Coach Michael Malone strongly defended the Nuggets’ decision to sit Jokić and Murray, dismissing any idea of “load management” and emphasizing their health concerns.
“If Nikola is not playing, it’s not because he needs rest. It’s because he’s hurt, and he’s trying to play through things that most wouldn’t,” Malone said.
Jokić, who has played the second-most games in the NBA over the past decade, has rarely missed time. Malone made it clear the Nuggets prioritize player health over forcing them into action as they prepare for the postseason.
