The Denver Nuggets took to Sunday to bounce back from two straight losses, defeating the Houston Rockets on the road.
Considering that the Rockets are the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, with a one-game lead over the Nuggets, the result was massive for Denver.
Even without Nikola Jokic on the hardwood, the Nuggets were able to secure a 116-111 victory. Still, they trail Houston in the standings.
The club is going to have to sustain more success and find its form again if they want to make a leap from the No. 3 seed to the No. 2 seed.
With the playoffs on the horizon, the Nuggets have to balance the standings and getting their key players healthy.
Without Jokic being 100% healthy and ready to go for postseason basketball, the Nuggets have virtually no chance at finding success.
Evidently, Denver needs more than that. Jamal Murray and the rest of Jokic’s supporting cast need to elevate their game. Again, that doesn’t quite matter if the Serbian superstar isn’t at his best.
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) and guard Jamal Murray (27).
© John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
Michael Malone offers Jokic update before Nuggets-Bulls
One day removed from beating the Rockets, the Nuggets have to host the Chicago Bulls, who are one of the more interesting teams at the moment.
Prior to the game against the Rockets, Nuggets head coach Michael Malone announced an update on Jokic’s injury.
“Coach Malone said he doesn’t think Nikola Jokic will play tomorrow in Denver either, but he said Jokic will play at some point during the upcoming 5-game home stand,” Katy Winge shared on X. “Mentioned the Nuggets want to get their starting lineup time together before the playoffs.”
So, expect Jokic to miss this contest but have a return to the hardwood in the near future.
The Nuggets will have to fight one more game without their franchise talent, at the least.