'Absence of 'Nuggets' Star Nikola Jokic and Teammate Aaron Gordon Against Rockets'
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic and forward Aaron Gordon will not be participating in the team's home game against the Houston Rockets on Wednesday evening.
Jokic sustained an elbow injury during warmups and was declared unable to play before the game began, while Gordon is sitting out due to managing a right calf injury. Gordon had previously missed nine games with this injury before returning for the team's two victories in Dallas on Sunday and Tuesday.
Gordon, who is tied for fourth on the team with an average of 13.4 points per game, has only played in 19 of Denver's 40 games so far, including Wednesday's match.
Jokic leads the team in scoring (30.6), rebounding (13.2), and assists (9.9). He ranks third in the NBA for scoring and rebounding, and second for assists.
This is the first game that Jokic will miss this season due to an injury. He was previously absent for three games in November for the birth of his son, and two more last week due to illness.
The Nuggets (24-15) entered Wednesday's game in fourth place in the Western Conference, trailing the third-seeded Memphis by half a game and the second-seeded Houston by 2 1/2 games.
