The Nuggets had to play two games extremely shorthanded earlier this week, facing the Celtics on Tuesday night and the Clippers on Wednesday night, both without Nikola Jokic and Aaron Gordon. Denver was able to split the two games, but considering the circumstances, played extremely well both nights.
It was a pleasant surprise to see them playing so well without their starting frontcourt and perhaps, two best players. It’s also a great opportunity for the team to get better playing without Jokic on the floor, something that has been a major struggle for the Nuggets this season.
If the team was able to play like they have been in the last two games while Jokic is on the bench going forward, the Nuggets may have unlocked something and that would massively raise their ceiling. So, while it’s frustrating to play without the MVP, it’s an important learning experience that could drastically help the team in the long term.
The Nuggets are back in action on Friday night, facing a 13-24 Nets team that has made their intention to tank clear. Brooklyn has traded two of their best players already, and several more are injured and/or on the trading block.
In other words, this should be a very winnable game for the Nuggets, regardless of what players are available. And as of Friday morning, there are still plenty of questions about which players will be in action.
Jokic and Gordon officially questionable for Friday night
After Jokic’s two-game absence due to illness, there was hope that he would be recovered enough to play on Friday. He is officially listed as questionable, which was the case on Tuesday and Wednesday as well.
Being this sick, Joker likely lost a lot of fluids and even if he’s feeling better, it may take him some time to get back up to speed. Aaron Gordon has been out since Christmas with a calf injury but has been upgraded to doubtful for Friday night.
It would be great to see both players back in action and it’s great news that it appears they are both close to a return. As much as everyone wants to see these guys back, maybe it’s best to continue letting these other players grow together and keep figuring things out without Jokic.
It’s going to come in handy down the road, and the Nets are a very beatable team. They’re also dealing with their own injuries as Cam Thomas, Cam Johnson, Bojan Bogdanovic, D’Angelo Russell, Max Lewis, Trendon Watford, Dariq Whitehead, and De’Anthony Melton, who is out for the season.
