The Denver Nuggets host the LA Lakers on Tuesday night for the Rivalry Week showdown. The Nuggets have few concerns leading up to this contest, as nine players are listed on their injury report. Superstar Nikola Jokic remains out, but recently available core players like Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun are also on the injury report.
Jokic continues to miss time due to a left knee bone bruise. He sustained the blow on Dec. 29 against the Miami Heat and was expected to miss a month. According to insider Shams Charania’s report from last week, Jokic is making progress by resuming on-court activities and expects to return towards the end of Jan.
As for Braun, the shooting guard will miss his sixth consecutive game. Braun last played against the Atlanta Hawks on Jan. 9. He missed just under two months with the injury before returning on Jan. 4. Denver Nuggets coach David Adelman denied that Braun reinjured himself, but believes he returned way too early.
“I watch him work out, and he’s going full speed. It’s just, he can’t do everything his body should be able to do right now,” Adelman said. “And so I feel like it’s fair to us and to the player for him to come back when he’s really ready to play basketball, not just run up and down the court.”
Meanwhile, Murray and Gordon are probable. Murray has been managing a left knee injury and Gordon is nursing his right hamstring injury, which ruled him out for six weeks between Nov. and Jan. They are likely to suit up, barring a late setback.
Tim Hardaway Jr. is another recently available player on the injury report. Hardaway is also probable, citing right knee contusion.
Cameron Johnson, Jonas Valanciunas, Tamar Bates and Curtis Jones are the four players on the Denver Nuggets’ injury report. Johnson is out with a right knee bone bruise, Valanciunas has a right calf strain, Bates is recovering from left foot surgery and Jones is with the G League team.
Where to watch LA Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets?
NBC and NBCSN3 will nationally televise the LA Lakers vs. Denver Nuggets game. Peacock and NBA League Pass have the streaming rights. Spectrum SportsNet and Altitude will provide coverage in local areas. The game will begin at 10:00 p.m. ET at the Ball Arena.
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