Nuggets fans hold their collective breath as Nikola Jokic dealt with calf injury

Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets was ruled out of the game against the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday. Jokic was diagnosed with right calf tightness and was questionable hours before the game.

Nuggets fans are holding their breath regarding Jokic's recent injury. With six games left in the regular season, the Nuggets are likely being cautious with the two-time MVP. He has been carrying the team all season and is overdue for a rest.

However, the Nuggets are just three games ahead of the second-seeded Memphis Grizzlies in the Western Conference. It's likely important for Denver to secure homecourt advantage until the Western Conference finals, given the effect of altitude on visiting teams.

According to Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone, Nikola Jokic has been dealing with a calf injury for some time. He played through it in their 116-111 win over the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday.

Justin Phan of Underdog Fantasy reported that Jokic will likely remain out of the Nuggets' road game against the Phoenix Suns on Friday. After that game, Denver will return home to face the Golden State Warriors.

Their remaining schedule includes games against the Houston Rockets, Utah Jazz and the Suns again on the road before they end at home against the Sacramento Kings.

---

Nuggets, without Nikola Jokic, lose to Pelicans in blowout

Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets against the New Orleans Pelicans

Nikola Jokic missed his ninth game of the season on Thursday against the New Orleans Pelicans. He was nursing a minor calf injury, but it was enough to keep him out of the game.

The Denver Nuggets were on a four-game winning streak entering Thursday's matchup. However, Brandon Ingram and the Pelicans jumped all over the Nuggets. Ingram ended the game with his second career triple-double. He had 31 points, ten rebounds and 11 assists.

CJ McCollum scored 23 points, while Jonas Valanciunas played well without Jokic, finishing with 15 points and 12 assists in the Pelicans' 107-88 win.

Meanwhile, the Nuggets didn't have their usual flow on offense in the absence of "The Joker." Jamal Murray tried his best, contributing 21 points, four rebounds and seven assists. Bruce Brown scored 19 points off the bench, while Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter Jr. had very quiet outings.

The Nuggets are just 3-6 this season without Jokic. It will be interesting to see if Denver can secure the No. 1 seed if Jokic continues to miss time. The playoffs start on April 15.