The Denver Nuggets are on the road on Friday night to take on the Portland Trail Blazers as they try to turn things around.
Denver enters Friday’s contest coming off a blowout loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday and they have dropped five of their last 10 contests.
Of course, the Nuggets have been without their star duo of Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray for their last two contests and they may once again be without them on Friday against a Trail Blazers team that is amid a three-game winning streak.
Denver has ruled out Jokic for Friday’s matchup as he continues to deal with a left ankle injury. Jokic has missed the Nuggets’ last two games due to an ankle and elbow injury, but Denver has listed him as out with just an ankle injury for Friday’s game.
This is a massive blow for the Nuggets as Jokic is able to give them about everything on the court as he is putting together arguably the best season of his career and is once again in the MVP race.
For Murray, the Nuggets have listed him as questionable due to a right ankle sprain, but head coach Michael Malone was hopeful that he would return against the Trail Blazers.
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) and center Nikola Jokic (15)
© Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
If Murray is unable to play, expect Russell Westbrook to continue to start at point guard.
Denver has also listed Aaron Gordon as probable due to right calf injury management and Christian Braun as probable with a left foot strain, but both are expected to play barring a setback before tipoff.
On the other side, Portland will also enter Friday’s game shorthanded as they have ruled out Robert Williams III, Deandre Ayton and Jabari Walker. Jerami Grant is also doubtful to play due to a knee injury.
Fans can catch Friday’s game between the Nuggets and Trail Blazers at 10:00 p.m. EST.