In the last week of the regular season, two Western Conference teams that are on the safe side of the playoff cut line meet in Denver looking for a win. On Thursday night, the New Orleans Pelicans travel to Denver to take on the Nuggets.
The latest Injury Report for Denver Nuggets vs. New Orleans Pelicans
The NBA is in the home stretch of the season, and the postseason picture is gradually becoming clearer.
As of the regular season’s finish on April 9, a total of 12 Western Conference teams are still in the running for postseason berths.
FOR THE NUGGETS
Denver (51-24) leads the Western Conference and is on track to be the top seed in the conference for the first time in franchise history.
Denver is currently three games ahead of Memphis in the Western Conference, and if the Grizzlies win out, would need to reach 55 wins to clinch the West. The Nuggets nearly blew a lead to the 76ers’ reserves but held on.
Reaching 55 wins won’t be a cakewalk for Denver. After Thursday night’s game, it plays four of its last six contests on the road, with the two home games coming against teams jockeying for playoff position – the Warriors and surprising Sacramento Kings.
The first step is beating the Pelicans for the third time and winning the season series.
The Nuggets pulled out a 99-98 win in New Orleans on Jan. 24 when Jokic made a field goal with 16.9 seconds left and the defense forced three misses in the final 5.6 seconds.
Jokic is coming off his 29th triple-double of the season in a win over Philadelphia on Monday and is nearly averaging a triple-double for the season (24.9 points, 11.9 rebounds, 9.9 assists per game).
On Thursday against the Pelicans, Jokic’s status is in doubt due to a calf injury.
Jokic is listed as questionable for the first game of a back-to-back set. Even though the MVP frontrunner has played in both halves of the Nuggets’ previous two back-to-backs, it wouldn’t be out of the ordinary for Denver to rest Jokic in preparation for the postseason.
Jokic’s absence might lead to more playing time for Ezekiel Nnaji and Thomas Bryant, but the ball-handling duties would likely fall on Jamal Murray and Michael Porter.
Jonas Valanciunas, who averaged 17.4 points and 16.0 rebounds during the five-game winning streak, will get the job of defending Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic.
Participating this game tonight with Denver team is Jamal Murray (20.1 points, 6.2 assists).
Let’s move on to the Nuggets’ injured list for this game that’s going to be played tonight.
| PLAYER | INJURY |
STATUS
|
| Jack White | Covid-19 |
Expected to be out until at least Mar 31
|
| Vlatko Cancar | Ankle |
Game Time Decision
|
| Collin Gillespie | Lower Leg |
Expected to be out until at least Mar 31
|
| Nikola Jokic | Calf |
Game Time Decision
|
| Peyton Watson | Illness |
Game Time Decision
|
FOR THE PELICANS
The Pelicans of New Orleans are a team that is always evolving. As of Wednesday, New Orleans was in ninth place, which would guarantee it a spot in the play-in round but could also send it to the draft lottery with a couple losses.
After a devastating setback to Golden State on Tuesday night, New Orleans (38-38) is struggling to find their footing.
The Pelicans had a 20-point lead late in the game, but ultimately lost by 11. This loss prevented them from tying Minnesota for the sixth spot.
If the Pelicans go on a roll, they might be able to skip the play-in game and go straight to the first round of the playoffs.
So, Thursday night’s game against the Denver Nuggets at home is just as crucial as any other game for the Pelicans.
With star player Zion Williamson out for the season due to a hamstring injury, New Orleans saw its five-game winning streak snapped but remains in the playoff hunt. On April 5th, he’ll get another checkup.
This game versus the Nuggets will still count toward Brandon Ingram‘s active minutes for the team.
Tonight, let’s take a look at the Pelicans’ roster and see if any players are out with injuries.
| PLAYER | INJURY |
STATUS
|
| Zion Williamson | Hamstring |
Expected to be out until at least Apr 7
|
| Jose Alvarado | Leg |
Expected to be out until at least Apr 7
|
| E.J. Liddell | Knee |
Expected to be out until at least Jul 1
|
