Nuggets List Jokic and Every Starter as Questionable Against Rockets

The Denver Nuggets could be short-handed when they face the Houston Rockets in Houston on November 9. All five Denver starters, along with sixth man DeMar DeRozan, are listed as questionable. Julian Strawther is out with a left knee sprain.

Nikola Jokic has a right elbow sprain, and Jamal Murray has a left shin and tibia contusion. Christian Braun is questionable with a left calf contusion and illness. Aaron Gordon and Cameron Johnson are listed for lower-body injury management, while DeRozan has low back spasms.

Denver is coming off a Saturday win over the Indiana Pacers in Mexico City, but travel problems have complicated the team’s trip to Houston. The Nuggets have won four of their past five games. The injury designations leave open the possibility that some or all of the six players could sit, though the team may be taking a cautious approach, particularly with Gordon and Johnson.

Houston has two players listed as out: Steven Adams, with a right soleus strain, and Clint Capela, with a right ankle sprain. The Rockets won seven of their first eight games before losing their past two. Alperen Sengun and Kevin Durant have led the team, while Fred VanVleet, Jabari Smith Jr. and Amen Thompson have also played key roles.

The teams are scheduled to tip off at 6:30 p.m. Mountain time. Houston has a health advantage, but the game’s challenge for Denver will depend in part on which of its questionable players are available.