Minnesota Timberwolves center Naz Reid (11) defends Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) in the first half in game seven of the second round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Nikola Jokic's Status for Nuggets vs Timberwolves

Originally posted on Denver Nuggets on SI
By Farbod Esnaashari | Last updated 10/17/24

Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

The Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves face off tonight at 8:00 p.m. EST in a rematch of last season's Western Conference Semifinals.

During the Nuggets' last preseason game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, the team rested the majority of its starters, including Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray. Denver was ultimately blown out by 30 points against the Thunder, which resulted in head coach Michael Murray berating the team after the game.

This time around, the Nuggets will have their big guns available against the Minnesota Timberwolves tonight. It was revealed that the Denver Nuggets will be playing Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, and the rest of their main squad against the Wolves.

Coach Malone said everyone but Peyton Watson and DaRon Holmes is available tonight for the Nuggets. I’m expecting regular season rotations, at least in the first half
— Katy Winge (@katywinge) October 17, 2024

As it stands, the Denver Nuggets have been winless during the preseason, with the team going 0-4. Two of those losses include bad blowouts that resulted in some vicious postgame press conferences from head coach Michael Malone.

Tonight is Denver's final preseason game before the regular season begins for them on October 24. While the preseason doesn't really matter, it would be nice for team morale to get one win before the regular season begins.

Michael Malone: “The league has gotten so soft. Everybody’s afraid to condition and run. Well, we have to.”

Some Nuggets players aren’t in great shape, and Malone made that clear last night. It’s a reason why he played most of his starters the entire 3rd quarter. pic.twitter.com/adKt4JEpM7
— Harrison Wind (@HarrisonWind) October 14, 2024

What matters most for the Denver Nuggets is to have a healthy Aaron Gordon, Jamal Murray, and Nikola Jokic available. When those three players are playing, anything is possible for the team in what they can accomplish.

This article first appeared on Denver Nuggets on SI and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: