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SACRAMENTO KINGS

Kings vs. Nuggets Injury Report: Jokic questionable

Denver Nuggets star center and three-time MVP winner Nikola Jokic (ankle) is questionable to face the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday night.

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA - DECEMBER 16: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets blocks a shot taken by...

(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic has been a nightmare for the Sacramento Kings over the years, but the star center may be out of action on Wednesday night in Denver.

The Nuggets have listed Jokic as questionable against Sacramento due to left ankle inflammation. During Denver’s 110-103 loss to the Boston Celtics on Sunday, the All-Star appeared to come away from the opening tip-off with a limp. Jokic finished the night with 20 points, 14 rebounds, and nine assists over 39 minutes.

If Jokic is unable to suit up against the Kings, the absence of Sacramento’s Domantas Sabonis (hamstring strain) won’t loom as large, especially when factoring in what Jokic has done to the Beam Team defense in recent memory.

More on Nikola Jokic & Kings vs. Nuggets Injury Report

Since the start of the 2020-21 season–his first of three MVP seasons–Nikola Jokic has absolutely dominated Sacramento.

Over his past 15 games against the Kings, Jokic has averaged 28.1 points, 11.7 rebounds, 10.6 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game on 56 percent shooting from the field. Denver is 8-7 in those games, including a current three-game winning streak.

In his most recent matchup against Sacramento on January 23rd, Jokic posted a ridiculous stat line of 35 points, 22 rebounds, and 17 assists on 12-of-19 shooting. Jokic even drilled a 66-foot heave from the opposite end of the court to all but put the final nail in the Kings’ coffin before play entered the fourth quarter.

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While Jokic’s status is up in the air, that’s just the tip of the iceberg for tonight’s Kings vs. Nuggets injury report.

Sacramento guard Malik Monk (right toe sprain) is listed as out after suffering the injury during the Kings’ win in Dallas on Monday. After briefly leaving the game, Monk returned and finished the night with 17 points and four assists over 26 minutes.

With Monk out, interim head coach Doug Christie could slot either defensive guard Keon Ellis or the recently-signed Markelle Fultz into the starting lineup alongside Zach LaVine, Keegan Murray, DeMar DeRozan, and Jonas Valanciunas.

Here’s a look at the full injury report for tonight’s action in Denver, with Nuggets forward Aaron Gordan also joining Nikola Jokic as questionable:

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Sacramento

  • Malik Monk – OUT (right toe sprain)
  • Domantas Sabonis – OUT (left hamstring strain)
  • Mason Jones – OUT (G-League)
  • Isaiah Crawford – OUT (G-League)

Denver

  • Nikola Jokic – QUESTIONABLE (left ankle inflammation)
  • Aaron Gordon – QUESTIONABLE (left ankle sprain)
  • Zeke Nnaji – QUESTIONABLE (left ankle sprain)
  • Peyton Watson – QUESTIONABLE (right knee sprain)
  • Vlato Cancar – QUESTIONABLE (left knee surgery rehabilitation)
  • Julian Strawther – OUT (left knee sprain)
  • DaRon Holmes II – OUT (right Achilles tendon repair)

More Sacramento Kings content from Sactown Sports

The Sacramento Kings lost All-NBA center Domantas Sabonis to a hamstring injury, but that hasn’t slowed them down the past two games.

Sacramento overcame the absence of Sabonis to beat Houston and Dallas on the road, and it can sweep its four-game road trip when it visits Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night.

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Sabonis, who leads the NBA in rebounding at 14.1 per game, suffered his injury in the first minute of a win over the Rockets on Saturday. The Kings won that game and then blew out the Mavericks 122-98 on Monday night for their fourth straight win.

Read more below:

Zach LaVine, Kings aim to gain ground in West vs. Nuggets

Upcoming schedule for the 2024-25 Sacramento Kings

  • Wednesday, March 5th – @ Denver Nuggets – 6:00 PM PT
  • Friday, March 7th – vs. San Antonio Spurs – 7:00 PM PT
  • Sunday, March 9th – @ Los Angeles Clippers – 6:30 PM PT
  • Monday, March 10th – vs. New York Knicks – 7:30 PM PT
  • Thursday, March 13th – @ Golden State Warriors – 7:00 PM PT

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Frankie Cartoscelli Lead Editor & Kings Beat Writer

Author Name: Franklin Cartoscelli Bio: Franklin 'Frankie' Cartoscelli is Sactown Sports 1140's Lead Editor, Sacramento Kings beat writer and co-host of the Return of the Roar podcast. Professional Background: Worked in professional sports… Read more

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