Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray to miss game against Los Angeles Lakers

Denver Nuggets' two core players, Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray, missed their second consecutive game due to injury in Wednesday's game against the Los Angeles Lakers. The team officially announced that the two are still recovering from physical condition.

Nuggets coach Michael Malone revealed at the pre-game press conference that Christian Braun, who had been absent due to left foot inflammation, will return, but the status of Jokic and Murray "remains very questionable."

Murray, who was out with a sprained right ankle, had a one-on-one workout with Nuggets assistant coach John Beckett before the game but was clearly struggling to move. Meanwhile, three-time MVP Jokic was not only affected by a left ankle knock, but also suffered a contusion to his right shooting elbow.

Malone said: "You have to listen to the body's signals. As a head coach, I have to trust the players and trust our medical team."

As the Nuggets are in the critical stage of competing for a place in the Western Conference playoffs, there are constant speculations about the consecutive absences of Jokic and Murray, and some even think that the team chose to "rest" the stars in key games. In this regard, Malone directly expressed his dissatisfaction in the interview.

Malone said: "That's pure nonsense. In the past 10 years, Nikola Jokic has played the second most games in the league. There are almost no superstars in the top 10 of that list."

"So, if Nikola doesn't play, it's not because he wants to rest, but because he is really injured. He has been playing with injuries, and most people may have chosen to rest long ago. At this stage, we must make the best decision for Nikola and the entire team to ensure that we can enter the final stage of the season in the best condition."

At present, the Nuggets are still in the competition for the top of the Western Conference. The health of Jokic and Murray will undoubtedly determine the team's competitiveness in the playoffs. As the regular season gradually draws to a close, the time for the two to return remains to be seen.