DENVER — While the Celtics and Nuggets were expected to be a marquee matchup, Denver got a big blow on the injury report. Nikola Jokic was a late add due to an illness, and he’s now been downgraded from questionable to out for the 10 p.m. Tuesday game at Ball Arena.
Nuggets coach Michael Malone said pregame that Jokic started to feel sick the day before and got worse Tuesday. The big man’s absence is a big break for the Celtics considering the Nuggets have struggled without their three-time MVP. The Nuggets were already down a key starter in Aaron Gordon, who hasn’t played since Christmas Day with a right calf strain.
“He’s such a guy that brings a clear identity,” C’s coach Joe Mazzulla said pregame of Jokic. “The on-off minutes are obviously very different. The role players become very important. Obviously you have (Jamal) Murray, then you got (Michael) Porter. You have (Russell) Westbrook, you have (Christian) Braun, you have their guys there. It’s a different frequency, it’s a different way to play.
The Celtics are down a pair of players Tuesday, including one starter. While they had no injuries to report Monday, that changed the day of the game. Both Derrick White and Jordan Walsh were downgraded pregame to out with illnesses.
The C’s are 2-1 through this four-game road trip to open 2025. But their loss to the Thunder, where they faltered in the second half, left a sour taste in the mouth. Now they get a chance at a winning road trip before heading back to Boston.
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