Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone strongly pushed back against the idea that his team is resting Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray for strategic reasons.
“I think that’s just a bunch of bulls—,” Malone said, per Tim MacMahon of ESPN. “In the last 10 years, Nikola Jokic has played the second-most games in the NBA. Ten years. And the guys in that top 10, none of them are superstars.”
Malone emphasized that if Jokic is not on the court, it is due to injury, not load management. “If Nikola is not playing, it’s not because he’s sitting. It’s not because he needs rest. It’s because he’s hurt and he’s trying to play through things that most wouldn’t.”
The Nuggets were without Jokic (elbow) and Murray (ankle) for the second straight game in Wednesday night’s 120-108 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. The defeat dropped Denver (44-26) to fourth place in the Western Conference standings.
Aaron Gordon led the shorthanded Nuggets with 26 points and 11 rebounds, but Denver struggled defensively. The Lakers (43-25) extended their home win streak to nine games behind a dominant 31-point performance from Luka Doncic.
Doncic exploded for 21 points in the first quarter, setting the tone for Los Angeles’ best opening period of the season. By the third quarter, the Lakers had built a 28-point lead, allowing their star to rest for the final stretch.
Austin Reaves added 22 points and eight assists, while Dorian Finney-Smith, Gabe Vincent, and Dalton Knecht also contributed double-digit scoring. Los Angeles shot 50.6% from the field and drained 16 three-pointers.
Denver managed to score 108 points despite missing its two top playmakers, but Malone’s frustration was evident as his team slipped in the standings. He stressed the importance of prioritizing player health while keeping the Nuggets in contention.
“We’re at a point right now where we have to do what’s best for not just Nikola, but for all our guys, as we move forward and try to close out this season,” Malone said.
