Game 16: Dallas Mavericks (8-7) vs. Denver Nuggets (8-5) | 9:30pm CST

[SleepingHero]

[SleepingHero]

Mark Followill (@MFollowill)
Nikola Jokic is questionable for Mavs at Nuggets tomorrow night...been away with his wife and missed the last 3 games as she gives birth to their second child. He was not at practice today and head coach Michael Malone said there was not an update beyond that. Aaron Gordon is still out with a calf strain. Vlatko Cancar suffered a significant left knee injury Tuesday vs Memphis and is also out.

[Jmaciscool]

Mark Followill (@MFollowill)
Nikola Jokic is questionable for Mavs at Nuggets tomorrow night...been away with his wife and missed the last 3 games as she gives birth to their second child. He was not at practice today and head coach Michael Malone said there was not an update beyond that. Aaron Gordon is still out with a calf strain. Vlatko Cancar suffered a significant left knee injury Tuesday vs Memphis and is also out.

Good for him, hope he gets to spend lots of time with his new kid. Lots and lots of time.

[SleepingHero]

@GrantAfseth
The Denver Nuggets did not hold a shootaround today, and Nikola Jokić (personal reasons) remains questionable on the injury report. An update will probably be provided at Michael Malone's pre-game press conference.

[SleepingHero]

Good for him, hope he gets to spend lots of time with his new kid. Lots and lots of time.

Honestly they should give him paternity leave! 2-3 months and he’ll be refreshed to return to work!

[Ghost of Podkolzin]

Honestly they should give him paternity leave! 2-3 months and he’ll be refreshed to return to work!

I'm a feminist.  Let's give him 9 months off

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Good for him, hope he gets to spend lots of time with his new kid. Lots and lots of time.

That's about the only way to stop him.

[Chicagojk]

Jokic is a go for tonight.

[SleepingHero]

@ShamsCharania
Sources: Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic – out since Nov. 10 due to personal reasons – will return to the lineup tonight vs. the Dallas Mavericks (10 pm ET, ESPN). Jokic and his partner welcomed a newborn son Thursday night.

[SleepingHero]

Of course Jokic comes back tonight. lol

[KillerLeft]

Loving this “first quarter scorer” version of PJ.

[KillerLeft]

Grimes is balling, too.

[SleepingHero]

What a freaking fantastic start.


The defensive effort from everyone has been insane. Lively, Grimes, and Klay especially. I actually am enjoying the post action they are running for PJ.

[SleepingHero]

I know it’s just been 7 minutes and everything can collapse. But the Mavs looking so strong and poised without Luka is beautiful to see. This is something we’ve pined after for 7 years. It’s finally happened.

[KillerLeft]

It’s early in this game, but so far the team has looked really good during the time that Luka has missed. He’s obviously their best player, so don’t read anything into that observation, but maybe the rest of the team needed that opportunity to get comfortable and find some rhythm. And, if Luka somehow gets himself into midseason shape as a result of missing this time, it could be a huge win all around.

[SleepingHero]

The hustle from Klay right now!!

[SleepingHero]

It’s early in this game, but so far the team has looked really good during the time that Luka has missed. He’s obviously their best player, so don’t read anything into that observation, but maybe the rest of the team needed that opportunity to get comfortable and find some rhythm. And, if Luka somehow gets himself into midseason shape as a result of missing this time, it could be a huge win all around.

I think this could actually be a great thing to show Luka that he really can trust everyone. He’s had to deal with Bullock, Josh Richardson, and Trey Burkes for his entire career.

I can see why he always has the do-everything mindset. And it’s amazing he’s good enough to do it and carry a team like that.

[SleepingHero]

Jokic being Jokic plus the Mavs being sloppy with the ball has let the Nuggets back in. But despite that they still look great.

Naji has been lethal basically everywhere but the 3. Defensively lock down as well.


Also, what a horrible call. I’m glad Kidd is challenging this bullshit

[Mavs2021]

So you can remember this crew and forget challenging them in the future, cause they are too stubborn/unprofessional to correct their mistakes.

[SleepingHero]

That alone should result in a demotion. Marc Davis should not be an NBA ref. Even the commentators are bewildered at that.