The Denver Nuggets will visit the Los Angeles Lakers on Wednesday at Crypto.com Arena. Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray are questionable on the team's injury report. Jokic is tending to a right elbow contusion and a left ankle impingement, while Murray has a right ankle sprain.
Here's everything we know about both players' injuries and playing statuses vs. the Lakers.
Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray injury status vs. Lakers
Jokic and Murray missed Monday's 114-105 win over the Golden State Warriors due to their injuries. Aaron Gordon turned in a heroic effort, posting 38 points on 14-of-23 shooting. Questionable tags for Jokic and Murray on Wednesday indicate both players are still managing injuries but will have a chance to suit up vs. the Lakers.
Wednesday's game will be crucial for playoff seeding. Denver is tied with the Houston Rockets for the second seed and one game ahead of the Lakers for the third seed in the Western Conference standings with 13 remaining.
The Nuggets are 7-6 over their last 13 games while battling numerous injuries to key players. They rank 13th in offense, 23rd in defense and 21st in net rating (-2.3) during that span.
Meanwhile, the Lakers have won their last two games following three straight losses after LeBron James suffered a groin injury. Los Angeles recently welcomed back Dorian Finney-Smith and Jaxson Hayes from injuries.
So, regarding whether Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray are playing tonight vs. the Lakers, the Nuggets won't force either out there if they aren't 100 percent. However, a win on Wednesday would go a long way toward securing a top seed in the West playoff bracket.
Nuggets injury report
Trey Alexander: Out – G League – Two-Way
Christian Braun: Questionable – Left Foot; Inflammation
Aaron Gordon: Probable – Right Calf; Injury Management/Left Ankle Sprain
DaRon Holmes II: Out – Right Achilles Tendon; Repair
Nikola Jokic: Questionable – Right Elbow; Contusion/Left Ankle Impingement
Jamal Murray: Questionable – Right Ankle; Sprain
Julian Strawther: Out – Left Knee; Sprain
Lakers injury report
Luka Doncic: Probable – Right Ankle; Sprain
Rui Hachimura: Out – Left Patellar; Tendinopathy
LeBron James: Out – Left Groin; strain
Trey Jamison: Questionable – Illness; –
Maxi Kleber: Out – Right Foot; Surgery Recovery
