Nuggets Injury Report: Are Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray Playing vs Grizzlies?

Last season’s epic Western Conference matchups between the Memphis Grizzlies and Denver Nuggets are a distant memory. The Grizzlies (24-47) went from contender to lottery prospect, plagued by injuries that sidelined the star. Jacques Morant for the whole season. Memphis, which finished as the second seed in the conference last year, simply hasn’t been able to replicate that success. Meanwhile, the Denver Nuggets (50-21) remain a force to be reckoned with. They currently sit at the top of the Western Conference standings. And their current success comes despite the absence of key players.

Both Nikola Jokic And Jamal Murray sat out their team’s win over Portland due to back and ankle injuries, respectively. Now that the showdown begins at 7:00 p.m. at the Ball Arena, will they be ready for this showdown?

The “Joker” as well as Nuggets superstar Jamal Murray have both been listed as “questionable” for tomorrow’s game. Despite these absences, Denver proved its depth by earning a close 114-111 victory. Nuggets coach Michael Malone applauded his team’s fighting spirit, especially during their recent streak: “Any time you can win a game without Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray, especially on the away side, you’ll always take it. I am proud of our group for fighting. Give them credit, they came out of halftime in great shape and had us on our heels.”

The Grizzlies, on the other hand, are riddled with injuries. Desmond Bane, Lamar Stevens and Jake LaRavia are listed as “questionable” for the game. Brandon Clarke was declared as “doubtful” for the match and he is joined by John Konchar and Vince Williams Jr.

Nikola Jokić led the Denver Nuggets: reigns supreme with stats

The Denver Nuggets are averaging a league-leading 114.6 points per game while their shooting efficiency ranks 4th in the NBA at 49.6%. Nikola Jokić remains the offensive engine, averaging a well-balanced 26.1 points, 12.3 rebounds and 9.0 assists per game. Jamal Murray, when healthy, averages 20.9 points and 6.7 assists. Defensively, Denver is a force to be reckoned with, allowing just 109.9 points per game (7th in the NBA). They excel at rim protection, averaging 391 blocks (4th in the league).

The Nuggets have a solid 22-15 record on the road and a 28-6 record at home, where they will play their next five games. This confrontation marks the 3rd of 4 meetings between the two teams this season. Denver won the first 2 meetings, including a dominant 142-105 victory in late December.

So the question remains: Will the injury-riddled Grizzlies pull off a miracle on the road, or will the Nuggets win once again from the comfort of their home court? Let us know your predictions in the comments below!

After baby day with his daughter, Nikola Jokic is childish in a discussion about dinosaurs