Coming off a towering battle with the San Antonio Spurs, the defending champions now head to the Crypto.com Arena. Nikola Jokic and crew face a packed Los Angeles Clippers, determined to maintain a home-court advantage into the playoffs. However, the Jokic has been listed as probable for the Thursday game. As for Jamal Murray, he’s been listed as questionable for the game that could propel the Nuggets (53-23) to the top of the Western Conference.

Nikola Jokic has been going through hip concerns since March, keeping him on their injury reports throughout last month. While he seems to have recovered from his season-long back injury, he harbored a wrist injury earlier this week. Even so, he matched his season-high record of 42 points in the game against the Spurs. On the other hand, Jamal Murray continues to suffer from right knee inflammation.

Murray has missed six consecutive games leading up to the Thursday night clash against the Clippers. But the guard has had quite a strong season so far, playing a vital role in the Nuggets’ fight against Minnesota for the top spot in the West. He’s been averaging 20.9 points, 4.1 rebounds, 6.7 assists, and 1.0 steals per contest, shooting 47.5% from the field and 41.9% from the three-point range in 54 games.

Jokic, on the other hand, has been averaging 26.4 points, 12.3 rebounds, 9.0 assists, and 1.3 steals per game while shooting 57.9% from the field and 34.1% from the three-point range. Against the LA Clippers, he’s averaged 27.0 points and 9.5 assists while shooting 30.9% from the field and 28.6% from the three-point range.

Joining Jokic and Murray on the injury report are Zeke Nnaji and Aaron Gordon. Nnaji (abductor) remains doubtful, while Gordon (foot) is being evaluated on a nightly basis. From the Nuggets’ recent ventures, there is a high possibility that Zeke and Murray remain out of the LA contest. Fortunately, Jokić radiates a determined mindset to help the Nuggets clinch the top berth.

After his wrist injury, the center said, “I don’t know if rest can help me. In my opinion, it is an injury that I can play with.” With that and Gordon’s presence in the previous game, chances are that the Nuggets might continue their winning run against the Clippers.

Kawhi Leonard might not play against the Nuggets

The Clippers (47-28) faced a significant blow before their game against the Sacramento Kings. Kawhi Leonard was downgraded to remain out of the contest near tip-off due to knee soreness. With that, Kawhi’s absence continues to create a major hole in the Clippers’ offense.

Currently, Kawhi is the only player in the Clippers’ injury report. Regardless, teammates and fans expect an uphill update near the tip-off. The Clippers’ big-4 has had a rather dwindling offense against Nikola Jokić and the Nuggets.

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Of the three games with Denver this season, the Clippers have only won one. Moreover, their three games saw uneven production from their star quartet. So far, they have managed to work in pairs. Harden and PG have generated efficient offense, whereas Kawhi and Russell Westbrook have struggled. The Klaw and Brodie upped their impact in the November 27 game, where PG and James combined for just 17 points.

Given that they might face the Nuggets in the playoffs, the four stars need to establish a concrete game plan against the champs. The Thursday game sits as a last chance for them to do so.

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