LOS ANGELES — Nuggets stars Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray sat out due to injuries on Wednesday night when Denver faced the Los Angeles Lakers, who are still without LeBron James.
Jokic is missing his second straight game with a bruised right elbow, while Murray is also missing his second straight game with a sprained right ankle. The Nuggets' pillars are accounting for a combined 50.6 points, 16.6 rebounds, 16.4 assists and 3.2 steals per game this season.
The three-time MVP is averaging 29.1 points, 12.8 rebounds, and a career-high 10.3 assists in 62 games. If Jokic continues producing at this pace, it will be his first time to average a triple-double across a full season. Russell Westbrook and Oscar Robertson are the only two players to ever accomplish the feat.
Murray, 28, is averaging a career-high 21.5 points to go along with 3.8 rebounds and 6.1 assists in 61 games. The Kitchener, Ont., native is on pace to appear in his highest total of games since the 2018-2019 season.
Jokic and Murray both traveled to Los Angeles and did pregame work in an attempt to play, but ultimately were ruled out. Both stars also sat out the Nuggets' surprising win over Golden State on Monday.
Denver coach Michael Malone on Wednesday profanely defended his team's decision to protect Jokic and Murray against the Warriors before the Nuggets had made the same decision for their game against the Lakers. Malone said Jokic has played the second-most games in the NBA over the past decade.
“If Nikola is not playing, it's not because he needs rest," Malone said. “It's because he's hurt, and he's trying to play through things that most wouldn't, and we're at a point now where we have to do what's best for not only Nikola, but all of our guys as we move forward and try to close out this season. We don't rest guys. If guys miss games, it's because they're unable to go out there and perform at the level that we need them to perform at, and I think it's really important that everybody knows that.”
The 40-year-old James missed his sixth straight game with a hamstring injury. Coach JJ Redick had no update on James' recovery, saying James and fellow injured starter Rui Hachimura (knee), who missed his 11th straight game, are considered day-to-day.
Luka Doncic was active for the Lakers despite his nagging right ankle sprain. He sat out last week when Los Angeles traveled to Denver and nearly beat Jokic, Murray and the Nuggets despite the absence of the Lakers' top two players.
Nuggets guard Christian Braun returned against the Lakers after sitting out Monday with left foot inflammation.
The Lakers are directly behind the Nuggets in the Western Conference standings, one game back of third place. Watch the game at 10 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT on Sportsnet or Sportsnet+.
-With files from Sportsnet Staff
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