NEW ORLEANS — Nuggets center Nikola Jokic will not play against the Pelicans on Friday night due to personal reasons, according to the team’s injury report.
Jokic was ruled out Friday around noon after being listed as questionable on Thursday. The Nuggets (7-3) are tipping off a three-game road trip in New Orleans with their first NBA Cup group-stage game.
“He’s good,” said lead assistant coach David Adelman, who was replacing Michael Malone on the sideline Friday. “It’s personal reasons for him. I’ll leave it at that.”
The Nuggets were unsure when Jokic would return to the lineup as of Friday evening before opening tip.
“Hopefully soon,” Adelman said. “Things at home for somebody, that’s their business, and when he feels like he’s ready to come back, he’ll come back.”
The three-time MVP is off to one of the best starts to a season in his 10-year NBA career. Through 10 games, he’s averaging 29.7 points, 13.7 rebounds and 11.7 assists on 56% shooting both from the field and the 3-point line. Denver (7-3) has won five consecutive games and seven of its last eight after starting the season 0-2.
Jokic averaged 29.3 points, 13.3 rebounds and 14.7 assists in three matchups against New Orleans last season. The Pelicans (3-9) have lost six consecutive games and will also be severely impacted by absences. Zion Williamson, Dejounte Murray, CJ McCollum, Herb Jones, Jordan Hawkins and Jose Alvarado have all been ruled out due to various injuries.
For the Nuggets, reserve forward Vlatko Cancar was cleared to play after being inactive with a right ankle sprain in recent games. He was a full participant in practice this week, coach Michael Malone said. Aaron Gordon will remain out for the entire road trip with a right calf strain.
