By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
After defeating the Indiana Pacers without Nikola Jokic on November 11, the second Denver Nuggets showing lacking the reigning NBA MVP resulted in a loss to the Chicago Bulls on Friday.
Jokic, 26, was ruled out of the latest fixture of the 2021-22 Regular Season with a right wrist sprain. He picked up the injury in the top end of the back-to-back at the Ball Arena, during the matchup against the Philadelphia 76ers Thursday.
“He’s got a sore wrist,” stressed Nuggets head coach Michael Malone after the loss versus the Bulls, “He was out tonight. He’s gotten X-rays, he’s gotten MRIs, talking to the doctors. I don’t think it’s going to be a long-term thing at all, but at the same time, I don’t want to put him out there if he can only play with one hand. Unfair to ask him to do that. When he’s ready to play, he’ll play. That could be against Phoenix, that could be in a week. There’s no timeline at this point.”
The Serbian superstar has started his seventh NBA campaign packing 26.4 points, 13.6 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game. His side sitting at 9-7 is tied with the Los Angeles Clippers in fifth place of the Western Conference standings.
The timing of any injury would be far from ideal, but the three consecutive losses paired with the demanding schedule featuring nine out of the next ten games on the road can become a concern if the Joker ends up remaining sidelined on the day-to-day status.
Up next, a visit to the red-hot Phoenix Suns Sunday.
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