NBA fans were thoroughly disappointed to watch the most recent matchup between the Denver Nuggets and Golden State Warriors. Although this was expected to be a clash between superstars and rivals, the Nuggets disappointed fans by not playing their main stars.
Since Nikola Jokić, Jamal Murray, and other Nuggets players were not on the injury report heading into this game against the Warriors, fans bought tickets thinking they would be on the court and were heavily let down. After the game, NBA Insiders and media members discussed this unexpected absence.
Why Did Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray Not Play vs. Warriors?
It turns out that both Jokić and Murray got banged up during Denver’s previous games. Jokić has an elbow issue, and he and Murray have ankle injuries. Perhaps that isn’t too surprising. After all, they’ve led their team to tough victories against some of the best teams in the West, like the Oklahoma City Thunder and Los Angeles Lakers.
Playing against top-tier teams within a very short timeframe could potentially become an issue. The Nuggets likely sidelined their stars to prevent them from overexerting or sustaining some form of injury.
Tim Bontemps is a senior NBA insider who has been associated with the league for several years. He did not mince his words when he called out the Nuggets stars for missing a nationally televised game against the Golden State Warriors.
“It’s a horrible look for the league. This is why the NBA put in the player participation policy. They literally put in rules that said if you play in a nationally televised game, especially on the road, your stars are supposed to play. Jokić plays all the time just saw him in Boston recently; he’s banged up with a bunch of stuff.”
“It’s a horrible look for the league. This is why the NBA put in the player participation policy.”
Tim Bontemps RIPPED the Nuggets sitting Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and Christian Braun for a National TV game despite the win 😳
(via @GetUpESPN)pic.twitter.com/XdPFlQdqRT
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) March 18, 2025
Bontemps continued, “You could look ahead at the schedule if you’re the Nuggets play the Washington Wizards, the worst team in the league, at home on Saturday. Sit these guys in that game. Have them ready to go for today’s game and Wednesday’s game against the Lakers.”
The NBA Insider drove his point home: “Half the guys are out. It’s just a horrible look for the league, and it’s a horrible situation because I was excited to see what I could learn from Golden State playing these guys. Instead, they have everybody out, and even though they lost the game, it doesn’t matter.”
Perhaps it would have been much better for the league if the Nuggets stars had sat out a game against the Wizards instead of the Warriors. Viewership and value for money would have undoubtedly improved. However, one should wonder if asking players to maintain those standards is unfair instead of prioritizing their health.