Jacob Sisneros
2 min read • April 06, 2023
Posted in
Although both teams are securely in the playoffs, this matchup between the Nuggets and Suns still has plenty of injury-related storylines.
Denver is sporting a lengthy injury report, while Phoenix does not have a single player listed with an injury designation.
Nikola Jokic’s lingering calf injury is the main injury issue for the Nuggets in this game. The MVP candidate is listed as questionable with right calf tightness.
After missing three straight games with right calf tightness at the end of March/beginning of April, he returned Tuesday against Houston but played just 24 minutes.
He scored his lowest point totals since late February (14) and had 8 turnovers, but added 10 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals and 3 blocks in the loss.
Calf injuries are tricky and notoriously linger, but his play style and big frame allow him to play more effectively than most.
Also listed as questionable on the injury report are Jamal Murray (right thumb sprain), Aaron Gordon (right shoulder inflammation), Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (non-COVID illness), Michael Porter Jr. (left heel injury management) and Zeke Nnaji (right knee sprain).
Only Nnaji missed Tuesday’s contest against the Rockets. Denver did officially clinch the top seed in the West on Wednesday, thus it would not be surprising to see them rest their top stars heading into the final three regular season games.
Since acquiring Kevin Durant in early February, the Suns are undefeated when he plays (7-0). The problem early in his Phoenix tenure has been staying healthy, as Durant has missed 16 games over the last two and a half months.
He was recovering from a right MCL sprain when he was acquired in the trade, then suffered a right ankle sprain while warming up ahead of his home debut with the Suns.
The 34-year-old has not eclipsed 35 minutes since returning on March 29, but has been effective in his limited minutes.
Durant is averaging 24.8 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.3 assists over the last four games and is shooting 58.2% from the field and 51.2% from three-point range since joining the Suns.
The Suns are favored by 10.5 points at home and the over/under is 224.5, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
Prior to Wednesday’s action, Jokic was at +1200 (tied with Giannis Antetokounmpo) for MVP. Joel Embiid was at -1000.
The Suns are +500 to win the NBA Finals, while the Nuggets are +950.
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Written by Jacob Sisneros
