The Denver Nuggets and the Los Angeles Lakers face off in a crucial matchup on Friday night as these two sides continue to fight for positioning in the Western Conference.
The 42-24 Nuggets enter Friday's game tied with the Memphis Grizzlies for the No. 2 spot in the West, while the Lakers are just one game behind them at 40-24.
Unfortunately for L.A., they will be extremely shorthanded against the Nuggets after Luka Doncic was ruled out due to calf and ankle injuries. He will join LeBron James, Rui Hachimura, Jaxson Hayes, Gabe Vincent, Dorian Finney-Smith and Maxi Kleber on the sidelines as the Lakers continue to deal with an ongoing injury crisis in their squad.
The Nuggets, however, will be at relatively full strength on Friday night after they provided an important update on Nikola Jokic just before tip-off.
After initially being listed as probable due to elbow and left ankle issues, the former back-to-back MVP has been cleared to play against L.A.
Injury Update ahead of tonight's game against the Lakers:
AVAILABLE:
Nikola Jokić (Right Elbow Contusion/Left Ankle Impingement)
Jamal Murray (Left Knee Inflammation)
Christian Braun (Left Foot Inflammation)
Zeke Nnaji (Left Ankle Sprain)
Aaron Gordon (Right… pic.twitter.com/HAbfoJxd9c
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) March 15, 2025
Jokic has been dealing with multiple injuries of late, but this has not prevented him from taking the floor for the Nuggets. He hasn't missed a game since mid-January, and this won't change on Friday night.
Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon, among others, were also listed on the injury report, but both stars will also be available to play on Friday night.
These developments give the Nuggets a clear advantage against an undermanned Lakers side, who are now facing the prospect of suffering their fourth straight loss.
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This story was originally published March 14, 2025 at 7:59 PM.