NBA Injury Report: Nikola Jokic out, Donovan Mitchell still questionable and more updates on Chris Paul and Bam Adebayo | November 16, 2022

Back-to-back NBA MVP Nikola Jokic will miss his first game of the season after he was placed under the league’s health and safety protocols. He won’t be with the Denver Nuggets when they take on the New York Knicks at home.

Before contracting Covid-19, “The Joker” has been performing with his usual inimitable versatility for the Nuggets. He is averaging 20.8 points, 9.5 rebounds and a career-high 8.9 assists. Although his scoring has significantly dropped, his efficiency has improved.

The reigning NBA MVP is shooting a career-best 60.6% from the field. Head coach Mike Malone dismissed concerns with Jokic’s scoring as the Nuggets reconstructed the supporting cast. As long as he continues to be Denver’s Swiss Army knife, Malone will not be worried.

With the return of Jamal Murray and a retooled roster, Jokic has put his passing skills on full display. In the Nuggets’ road win against the Chicago Bulls, the Serbian dished out a game-high 14 assists. It’s already the sixth time that he has handed at least 10 assists this season.

Without Jokic in the lineup, the Denver Nuggets could insert either DeAndre Jordan or Zeke Nnaji into the starting lineup. It’s unclear when Nikola Jokic will be able to clear the NBA’s health and safety protocols. The Nuggets may also allow him to ramp up conditioning before he returns to action.

Meanwhile, Donovan Mitchell continues to deal with a nagging ankle injury and has been listed as questionable by the Cleveland Cavaliers. The three-time NBA All-Star missed the Cavs’ last game versus the Minnesota Timberwolves but returned to practice on Tuesday.

If the ankle isn’t 100% hours before game time, Cleveland will undoubtedly play it safe and sideline the team’s leading scorer. The Cavaliers were off to an 8-1 start before slumping to four straight losses despite Mitchell’s scoring tear.

“Spida” is averaging 31.6 points, 4.7 rebounds, 6.1 assists and 1.4 steals in 11 games this season. He leads the NBA in minutes per game and is shooting a career-high 51.3% from the field, including 43.4% in threes.

Darius Garland is expected to carry more of the scoring burden yet again if Donovan Mitchell remains sidelined.

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Chris Paul: Right heel soreness; Injured since November 7, 2022

Chris Paul has been dealing with a sore heel.

NBA superstar Chris Paul continues to be listed by the Phoenix Suns as questionable for the fourth straight game. He missed the Suns’ last three games due to a heel injury.

Phoenix is unsurprisingly struggling without the “Point God.” They have now dropped back-to-back games and could be staring at a three-game losing slump against the defending NBA champs, the Golden State Warriors.

The Suns won their first matchup with the Warriors when they had a healthy Chris Paul in the lineup. Things could be vastly different tonight even if the Bay Area team is having issues of their own to address.

It’s unclear when “CP3” could be cleared to play again for the Phoenix Suns.

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Bam Adebayo: Left knee contusion; Injured since November 14, 2022

Bam Adebayo could miss his first NBA game this season due to left knee contusion.

Bam Adebayo’s bruising battle with Phoenix Suns center Deandre Ayton could have caused a contusion in his left knee. Miami has listed the defensive specialist as questionable heading into their four-game road trip.

If Adebayo is sidelined, the Heat will be down to Nikola Jovic as their serviceable big man. Miami is already missing the services of Udonis Haslem and Omer Yurtseven. Dewayne Dedmon, who is also questionable, could be in street clothes as well.

If Miami is extra cautious with Bam Adebayo, he could return to action on November 20 against the Cleveland Cavaliers.