Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic Ruled Out Due to Lower Back Pain for Clash Against Oklahoma City

The Denver Nuggets have confirmed that two-time NBA MVP center Nikola Jokic will be sidelined for their upcoming game against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Wednesday night due to lower back pain. 

This marks the second game Jokic has missed this season, with his previous absence on November 27 also attributed to a lower back ailment in a game against the Clippers, which the Nuggets won in Los Angeles.

In his most recent outing against the Milwaukee Bucks, Jokic showcased his prowess by achieving his 119th career regular-season triple-double, contributing 25 points, 16 rebounds, and 12 assists. The 7-foot center from Serbia has been a force on the court this season, ranking 13th in points per game (26.3), third in rebounds (12.1), and fourth in assists (9.0).

Denver, currently holding a 1-2 record against the Thunder this season, seeks to secure a victory in the absence of their star player. The sole win against the Thunder came on the road. Notably, this game marks the final meeting of the regular season between the two Northwest Division rivals. The Nuggets will look to overcome the challenge without Jokic and continue their campaign for success in the fiercely competitive NBA season.