The Denver Nuggets could be without some of their top stars against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The Denver Nuggets look to solidify their playoff positioning when they take on the Oklahoma City Thunder on Friday.
The Nuggets come into this contest red hot, having won ten straight, including their most recent victory over the Memphis Grizzlies, 136-119. They are 52-28 on the season climbing to third in the Western Conference. They lead the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets by one game. They have the tiebreaker against the Rockets, but not against the Lakers.
The Thunder enter this game on a seven game win streak, clinching the top seed in the West with a 128-110 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers in their last contest. They have just two losses since the All-Star break, putting them at 64-16 on the season. They will have homecourt throughout the entire playoffs.
The Thunder are 3-0 against the Nuggets this season. They last met on March 9, a 129-126 victory for the Thunder. The two have also played an overtime game, which was won by OKC, 127-121.
Denver Nuggets Injury Report
Nikola Jokic is QUESTIONABLE with right wrist injury management. He hasn't missed a game since January 29 when he was still battling a knee injury. He has to play one more game to be eligible for end of season honors as he has played in only 64 games this season.
Jamal Murray is QUESTIONABLE with right shoulder impingement. He hasn't missed a game since January 23, and has missed only five games this season.
Aaron Gordon is QUESTIONABLE with right hamstring injury management. He's played in four straight, but was limited to 22 minutes against the Grizzlies, leaving the game and not returning.
Christian Braun is QUESTIONABLE with left ankle injury mangement and a right hip flexor strain. He played 27 minutes against Memphis.
Cameron Johnson is QUESTIONABLE with a right ankle injury. He played 30 minutes against the Grizzlies.
Peyton Watson remains OUT with a right hamstring strain. He's been out since April 1 and is considered week-to-week.
Spencer Jones is also OUT with a right hamstring strain. He's been out since March 29.
Oklahoma City Thunder Injury Report
With the top seed locked up, the Thunder are opting to sit the majority of their playoff rotation.
Starters Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (right oblique injury management), Jalen Williams (right hamstring injury management), Chet Holmgren (low back spasms), and Isaiah Hartenstein (left soleus injury management) are all OUT.
Lu Dort will play.
Bench players Alex Caruso (rest), Isaiah Joe (left knee soreness), Ajay Mitchell (left ankle injury management), Cason Wallace (left great toe soreness), and Jaylin Williams (right Achilles tendinitis) are also OUT.
Jarred McCain, Aaron Wiggins, Nikola Topic, and Kenrich Williams will play.
Thomas Sorber is OUT after undergoing season-ending ACL surgery in the offseason.