The Denver Nuggets are facing the New Orleans Pelicans at the Pepsi Center tonight. Nikola Jokic and Co. have lost two games in a row, which has shocked the NBA world. The Nuggets were believed to be one of the most stable teams but it certainly looks like they are going through a rough patch right now. However, two losses on the bounces cannot be exaggerated as well, as the Nuggets sit comfortably at the top of the West, with two more wins than the Memphis Grizzlies.
The Pelicans have not had much luck in recent games either. They have lost their last 8 games and are looking to stop the ship from sinking with yet another loss tonight. One of the main reasons for their misery would be the injury of their star player Zion Williamson. The former Duke star remains on the sidelines with a hamstring injury as Pelicans await his return. Speaking of injuries, the Nuggets have also had to suffer a great deal of trouble in recent times.
Nikola Jokic is available for the Denver Nuggets vs New Orleans Pelicans game tonight
Nikola Jokic was on the injury report a while ago with a hamstring injury. However, that does not seem to be the case tonight. Jokic is available to play against the Pelicans tonight, instantly boosting the Nuggets’ chances of winning. There are other key players on the Nuggets’ injury report ahead of tonight’s game.
Denver #Nuggets injury report:
Jamal Murray is questionable with left knee injury management.
For the #Pelicans, Zion Williamson and Dyson Daniels are out. pic.twitter.com/RI6GEBmkUL
— Joel Rush (@JoelRushNBA) January 31, 2023
Jamal Murray is questionable for the game against the Pelicans tonight with left knee management. Apart from Murray, the Nuggets have all their players available for tonight’s game. It looks like Michael Porter Jr. has also returned to the Nuggets’ starting roster after dealing with family issues. For context, his brother, Coban Porter, was arrested on suspicion of vehicular homicide recently.
Denver Nuggets injury report
- Jamal Murray (questionable)
Denver Nuggets expected roster
- Nikola Jokic
- Aaron Gordon
- Michael Porter Jr.
- Kentavious Caldwell-Pope
New Orleans Pelicans injury report
- Dyson Daniels (out)
- Zion Williamson (out)
- E.J.Liddell (out)
New Orleans Pelicans expected roster
- Trey Murphy III
- Naji Marshall
- Jonas Valančiūnas
- Jose Alvarado
- Herb Jones
The Nuggets are favored over the Pelicans to take the win tonight
The Nuggets will be the strong favorites to take the win against the Pelicans tonight. Nikola Jokic has been the standout player for them this season. The Joker is quite close to averaging a triple-double this season, with 25.1 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 9.9 assists. These numbers certainly make his case for the 2022-23 NBA MVP award stronger. Jokic is currently competing with the likes of Joel Embiid, Luka Doncic, and Jayson Tatum. We might be able to witness the Nuggets center lift the award for the third time in a row.
The last time the Nuggets and Pelicans played against each other last week, the Denver-based franchise took a narrow win. The game ended 99-98 to the Nuggets on the night. Jokic’s triple-double and Jamal Murray’s 25 points helped the Nuggets take the win that day. We can predict the same to be the case tonight, as the Nuggets players will surely be aiming to return to winning ways.
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