Celtics News: Denver Makes Final Decision on Nikola Jokic vs Boston

Denver has made a determination on its sick All-Star.

Jan 19, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) drives the ball against Boston Celtics center Al Horford (42) in the first quarter at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images / David Butler II-Imagn Images

The Denver Nuggets have made a final determination on their sick MVP.

Sources inform Bennett Durando of The Denver Post that six-time All-NBA superstar center Nikola Jokic has been ruled out for Denver's home game against the Boston Celtics on Tuesday night with a worsening illness.

Nikola Jokic will not play tonight against Boston, I’m told.

— Bennett Durando (@BennettDurando) January 8, 2025

Jokic was a late addition to the Nugget's injury report. Head coach Michael Malone told reporters this afternoon that the 6-foot-11 big man had first presented symptoms of an illness on Monday, and that his condition had declined Tuesday.

Read More: Nuggets' Nikola Jokic Downgraded Ahead of Boston Battle

It had previously been announced that starting Denver power forward Aaron Gordon would also miss out on Tuesday's action while he continues to recuperate from a calf strain.

Vinny Bennetto of The Denver Gazette reveals that, sans Jokic and Gordon, the Nuggets will start guards Jamal Murray and Russell Westbrook, swingman Christian Braun, forward Michael Porter Jr. and reserve center Dario Saric.

Boston, meanwhile, will be without starting All-Defensive Team guard Derrick White, who himself is sidelined with what has been listed as a non-COVID-19 illness. That same undisclosed ailment is also hounding backup guard Jaden Springer.

Read More: Is Derrick White Playing vs Nuggets? Final Celtics Injury Report Revealed

Those aren't the only absences for either squad, but those are the most impactful ones short-term.

Per the NBA's most recent injury report, rookie wing Baylor Scheierman and all three of the Celtics' two-way players — point guard JD Davison, plus forwards Anton Watson and Drew Peterson — are putting in reps with the club's G League affiliate, the Maine Celtics.

Two Nuggets, meanwhile, continue to recuperate from major procedures. Guard Vlatko Cancar is on the mend from a left knee surgery, and center DaRon Holmes is working his way back from a right Achilles tendon repair. Elsewhere on Denver's roster, small forward Spencer Jones remains shelves with a right adductor strain. Two-way player PJ Hall is on assignment to Denver's G League squad, the Grand Rapids Gold.

The 26-10 Celtics are looking to improve from what — to them — has been something of a rut. The reigning champions have gone 5-5 across their past 10 contests, a fairly mediocre run for a club hoping to become the first repeat title winner since 2018. The 20-14 Nuggets, meanwhile, are hoping to do the improbable and win a game without their best player. They've gone 1-2 in such contests so far this season.

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