Nuggets lead assistant David Adelman took over for Malone and said the most difficult challenge of stepping in was that “Nikola is not here.”

Denver was fending for the first time this season without Nikola Jokic, who didn’t travel with ... in the second annual in-season tournament. Their next NBA Cup game is next Tuesday in Memphis. Jokic was ruled out Friday around noon after being listed ...

NEW ORLEANS — Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic will not play against the Pelicans on Friday night due to personal reasons, according to the team’s injury report. Jokic was ruled out Friday around noon after being listed as questionable on Thursday.