Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray among 4 Nuggets starters out vs. Suns

Nikola Jokic was ruled out for his second game in a row due to right calf tightness, and the team also listed Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr. and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope out for Friday’s game at Phoenix, according to the team’s injury report.

On the second night of a back-to-back following Thursday’s loss to New Orleans, those four players didn’t even make the trip to Arizona, a league source told The Post.

Nuggets coach Michael Malone hinted after Thursday’s game that Murray wouldn’t play on account of left knee injury management. With only five regular-season games remaining following Friday’s contest against the Suns, the Nuggets have tried to be cautious with Murray’s workload during his return season from an ACL tear.

Porter was out due to left heel injury management, and Caldwell-Pope was out due to non-COVID illness. Malone said Caldwell-Pope hadn’t been feeling well, and at one point, even believed he wouldn’t be able to play against the Pelicans.

Aside from Jokic, all three were available against New Orleans. At this point in the season, it’s also essential to look at absences like these within the context of rest. Every team in the NBA is trying to prioritize health as the postseason nears. Aaron Gordon was the lone starter available against Phoenix.

The Nuggets, who entered Friday night with a three-game lead over Memphis for the No. 1 seed, have some leeway to rest while still maintaining the top seed. There could also be a level of gamesmanship involved. The Suns are a potential playoff foe, and Denver could have no interest in offering them a preview.

The Nuggets will be back home Sunday against the Warriors before their final road trip of the season.

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