Both players miss the final regular-season meeting between the teams, sitting out for a second consecutive game as they continue to nurse nagging injuries.
After the Lakers had a depleted version of their available roster for last Friday’s matchup in Denver, the Nuggets were without their two best players for Wednesday’s rematch at Crypto.com Arena.
Reigning MVP big man Nikola Jokic (bruised right elbow/left ankle impingement) and star guard Jamal Murray (sprained right ankle) were unavailable on Wednesday, the last of four regular-season matchups between the teams.
Jokic and Murray also sat out of the Nuggets’ Monday road win against the Golden State Warriors.
ESPN’s Tim Bontemps criticized the Nuggets’ star duo for not playing in the game against the Warriors that was broadcast nationally on ESPN during an appearance on the network’s “Get Up” morning show. As part of his criticism, Bontemps said, “It’s a horrible look for the league.”
Wednesday’s game was also nationally televised on ESPN.
Nuggets coach Michael Malone, who didn’t mention Bontemps directly, pushed back against criticism of Jokic and Murray being sidelined when he spoke to reporters before Wednesday’s matchup.
“You all listen to your body,” Malone said.
