PHOENIX SUNS
Nikola Jokic, 3 other Nuggets out for clash vs. Suns
Mar 31, 2023, 4:41 PM | Updated: 4:42 pm
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, right, drives the lane as Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis defends in the first half of an NBA basketball game Saturday, March 25, 2023, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
The Denver Nuggets list Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray among a group of key players as out on Friday against the Phoenix Suns.
Jokic (right calf tightness), Murray (knee injury management), Michael Porter Jr. (heel injury management) and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (illness) are all out.
Big man Vlatko Cancar (ankle sprain) will play while Jack White (health and safety protocols) is probable.
Holding the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference, Denver takes a three-game lead over the Memphis Grizzlies into a Friday game at Footprint Center.
It’s also the second night of a back-to-back and the Nuggets have the division locked in and — more than likely — their top seed in order.
Jokic, an MVP favorite, sat out Thursday in a 107-88 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans.
Porter Jr., Murray and Caldwell-Pope all started and played somewhat regular minutes until the game got out of reach.
Phoenix has a clean injury report Friday. The Suns last played Wednesday and in Kevin Durant’s home debut as a member of the team won their third in a row.
