The Denver Nuggets had one of their top players downgraded on their injury report vs the New Orleans Pelicans
The Denver Nuggets saw their seven-game winning streak come to an end on Monday night, as the visiting Chicago Bulls put on a full team effort to hold off a 36-point triple-double from Nikola Jokic and 34 points from Jamal Murray in a 130-127 defeat. It wasn't all bad for the Nuggets, especially with offseason acquisition Cam Johnson having his season-high with 19 points.
Regardless, the Nuggets can't spend time dwelling on it, as they'll look to regroup on their two-game road trip, starting with the New Orleans Pelicans. It's been a disaster to start the season for the Pelicans, who've since fired head coach Willie Green and continue to battle injuries. However, the Nuggets could enter Wednesday's contest without their top forward.
Nuggets Injury Report
Being listed with bilateral hamstring injury management, Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon is listed as QUESTIONABLE for Wednesday's contest in New Orleans. Gordon has missed just one game this season for the Nuggets and is currently averaging a career-high 20.3 points per game to go with a 45.2% rate from beyond the arc.
Gordon is often referred to as the glue to this Nuggets team, a player who can play multiple different roles for Denver. It seems as though early this season, he's been asked to score more than usual, with five 20-point games so far, including a 50-point performance in the season opener. If he is sidelined Wednesday night, the Nuggets will look to Johnson and Peyton Watson in his absence.
As for the rest of the injuries for Denver, Julian Strawther (back) and Christian Braun (ankle) are OUT for the Nuggets. Strawther's injury is less serious, as he could return for Denver's Friday contest against the Houston Rockets, while Braun's situation is set to be a multi-week absence.
Without two of their top shooting guards, the Nuggets will look to veteran Tim Hardaway Jr., who had 23 points in the team's weekend win over the Minnesota Timberwolves. Additionally, rookie Spencer Jones will get some looks in the meantime.
Game Preview
While the Nuggets have a few injuries on their report, they are still in a much better situation than the Pelicans, who have Jordan Poole (quad) and Dejounte Murray (Achilles) listed as OUT, with Saddiq Bey (ankle) and Zion Williamson (hamstring) listed as QUESTIONABLE.
The Pelicans enter Wednesday's contest on a six-game losing streak, with their past two losses coming in blowout fashion to the Oklahoma City Thunder and Golden State Warriors.
Tip-off in New Orleans is set for 8:00 p.m. EST, with the Nuggets looking to get back in the win column against a struggling Pelicans side.