It will be a battle between the behemoths at the Crypto.com arena as the dominant Denver Nuggets will challenge the LA Lakers. The game promises to offer some intriguing contests, as both sides possess some generational talents. With LeBron James ruled out, the onus will be on Luka Doncic to come up with a standout performance. From the Nuggets side, the attention will be on the star Center Nikola Jokic. While Doncic vs Jokic is a battle that fans always look forward to but this time doubts are hovering over the encounter. To find clarity one would have to look at the injury reports of both the teams.
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Nikola Jokic Injury Report
After a shock absence from the game against the Warriors, Nikola Jokic is expected to return to court tonight, but it is not certain at the moment. The Serbian is listed in the injury report released by Denver Nuggets ahead of the game against the Lakers. Jokic is marked as "questionable" due to Right Elbow Contusion/Left Ankle Impingement. However, since he is not marked "out", therefore, the fans could expect him to feature in the game tonight.
Nikola Jokic holds the stature of being irreplaceable for his franchise and in the league. The 3-time MVP can change the course of the game within seconds and has been minting points at an unbelievable rate lately. After 69 games, Jokic has he's averaged 24.7 points, 15.1 rebounds, 11.5 assists, 1.5 steals, 1.4 threes and 0.7 blocks while shooting 57.1 percent from the floor. Hence, considering how impactful he is, his potential absence tonight would put the Lakers in the driver's seat.
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Denver Nuggets Injury Report
Aside from Nikola Jokic, five more names are listed on the Denver Nuggets injury report. Here's the entire sheet:
- Aaron Gordon: Probable due to Right Calf Injury Management/Left Ankle Sprain
- Nikola Jokić: Questionable due to Right Elbow Contusion/Left Ankle Impingement
- Jamal Murray: Questionable due to Right Ankle Sprain
- Christian Braun: Questionable due to Left Foot Inflammation
- Julian Strawther: Out due to Left Knee Sprain
- DaRon Holmes II: Out due to Right Achilles Tendon Repair
LA Lakers are also not devoid of injuries. The Los Angeles Lakers’ injury report includes Maxi Kleber (foot) and Rui Hachimura (knee), both ruled out, while Trey Jemison remains questionable due to illness. Moreover, Luka Doncic is also in the list. He is marked as "probable" due to an ankle injury.
Thus, injuries could spoil the party tonight. However, considering how crucial the game is for both teams, both teams may field their best five. With all to look forward to let's see what the Nuggets vs Lakers will deliver to the yearning fans.