Nuggets Spurs injury report: Nikola Jokic playing? Victor Wembanyama? Jamal Murray?
By Ben Handler
The 52-23 Denver Nuggets taking on the 18-57 San Antonio Spurs doesn’t exactly jump off the page as a marquee matchup. But when you’ve got the best center in the world today taking on the best center of the future, there’s plenty of reason to tune in.
Every time Nikola Jokic and Victor Wembanyama take center court, there is going to be hubbub and fanfare, regardless of the teams’ records. Even though the Spurs are in last place in the Western Conference, this game will garner plenty of attention.
But that’s only the case if the A-list players are actually in action and both of these squads have been missing a lot of guys recently. The Spurs have nothing to play for at this point; they’ve shut multiple players down for the year as they limp towards the finish line. But Wemby has been a constant, carrying this team to compete almost single-handedly.
The Nuggets have a lot to play for, as they're caught up in a tense three-team battle for the top seed in the Western Conference and homecourt advantage up to the NBA Finals. Still, the Nuggets are more focused on health and rest than seeding, and they’ve had all their stars in and out of the lineup.
Nuggets injury report
The injury report for Denver looks pretty familiar. Nikola Jokic is ‘Probable’ to play, and will likely continue to play through his wrist and back injuries. Aaron Gordon is also ‘Probable’ to play with a foot strain.
All eyes will be on the status of Jamal Murray, as he’s missed five games in a row now with ankle and knee injuries. Murray is listed as ‘Questionable’ as has been the case lately. There’s no reason to rush him back, but it would be nice to see him get some action before the playoffs start.
Vlakto Cancar (knee) and Zeke Nnaji (adductor) remain out for Tuesday night.
Spurs injury report
The Spurs have five players on their injury report all listed as ‘Out’; Devin Vassell, Jeremy Sochan, Keldon Johnson, Charles Bassey, and Dominick Barlow. That’s a lot of talent, but the one name not on the list is the big one, Wembanyama.
That means we are going to get another battle between two of the most exciting and unique big men in the entire world. The Joker/Wemby matchup vaults this game from barely relevant to a near must-watch.
Betting odds
The Nuggets are listed as 16.5 point home favorites and the game has a total of 222.5 points.