Nuggets center Nikola Jokic will not play against the Boston Celtics on Tuesday night, the team announced.
Jokic is dealing with a non-COVID illness and did not warm up on the main floor at Ball Arena before the game, which will be broadcast on TNT with an 8 p.m. tip. It’s the fourth game he has missed this season. The other three were in November for the birth of his second child.
The three-time MVP is averaging 31.5 points, 13 rebounds and 9.7 assists while shooting a league-leading 47.3% from the 3-point line. Denver’s net rating is 25.8 points per 100 possessions better with him on the court than with him on the bench this season.
“He wasn’t feeling great yesterday, and that has only gotten worse today, which is unfortunate,” coach Michael Malone said during his pregame news conference, when Jokic was designated questionable. “One, we have a game tonight. And two, it’s his Christmas holiday. … He’s trying to fight through it, and if he can’t go, then we’ll rely on somebody else.”
Dario Saric replaced Jokic in the starting lineup, playing his first game since Nov. 23, 2024. He also started all three games that Jokic missed in November.
The Celtics are without CU grad Derrick White, who is also dealing with an illness.
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