CLEVELAND — The Cavaliers will attempt to win their third consecutive game on Jan. 2 when they host the Denver Nuggets without three-time NBA Most Valuable Player Nikola Jokic.
The up-and-down Cavs haven’t produced a three-game winning streak since they won four in a row from Nov. 2-8. Although the Cavs have been plagued by injuries and other issues, none of their problems is as detrimental as the one the Nuggets face as a result of Jokic suffering a hyperextended left knee on Dec. 29. Jokic will be out for at least four weeks.
Tip-off for Cavs (19-16) versus Nuggets (23-10) is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Rocket Arena. Check back here for updates throughout the game.
Below is some pregame information.
The Cavs beat the San Antonio Spurs on the road on Dec. 29 and Phoenix Suns at home on Dec. 31 with forward Dean Wade starting alongside the core four of guard Donovan Mitchell, point guard Darius Garland, forward Evan Mobley and center Jarrett Allen.
However, the aforementioned starting lineup won’t be used against the Nuggets because the Cavs ruled out Wade (left knee soreness) after initially listing him as questionable to face the Nuggets.
Guard Sam Merrill (left ankle sprain) is also out after being listed as questionable.
Wing De’Andre Hunter (illness) is available after being listed as probable.
The Cavs ruled out forward Larry Nance Jr. (right calf strain), small forward Max Strus (left foot surgery in the offseason), forward Chris Livingston (two-way contract) and forward Luke Travers (two-way contract).
The Cavs announced they will start the following players against the Nuggets:
Mitchell, Garland, Mobley, Allen and small forward Jaylon Tyson.
In addition to Jokic, the Nuggets ruled out the following players: guard Tamar Bates (left foot surgery), forward Christian Braun (left ankle sprain), forward Aaron Gordon (right hamstring strain), forward Cameron Johnson (right knee injury management) and center Jonas Valanciunas (right calf strain).
The Nuggets also initially listed guard Jamal Murray (left ankle sprain) and guard Julian Strawther (illness) as probable to play, but the team later announced Murray and Strawther are available to face the Cavs.
The local TV broadcast of the Cavs-Nuggets game on Jan. 2 can be viewed via FanDuel Sports Network — Ohio. The game can be streamed on Prime Video. The radio broadcast can be heard locally via WTAM (1100-AM) or WMMS (100.7-FM).
Nate Ulrich is the sports columnist of the Akron Beacon Journal and a sports features writer. Nate can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich.