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WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 07: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets looks against the Washington Wizards during the second half at Capital One Arena on December 7, 2024 in Washington, DC. Jokic scored a career-high 56 points. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets are getting ready to duel it out with the 2025 NBA Champions on Friday night.
Hosting the Oklahoma City Thunder for their second-to-last game of the regular season, the Nuggets entered the matchup with big questions regarding multiple players on their injury report.
When the Nuggets released the report on Thursday night, they listed several players as questionable. Nikola Jokic, Aaron Gordon, and Jamal Murray were the original three questionable candidates, while Spencer Jones and Peyton Watson were ruled out right away.
GettyATLANTA, GEORGIA – DECEMBER 05: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets reacts after their 134-133 win over the Atlanta Hawks at State Farm Arena on December 05, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
On the morning of the matchup, the Nuggets added two more players to the report.
Cam Johnson was downgraded to questionable due to right ankle injury management. The starting guard, Christian Braun, was downgraded to questionable due to left ankle injury management and a right hip flexor strain.
Considering all of the questionable players mentioned above were not known to be dealing with any notable setbacks earlier in the week, it’s clear the Nuggets are simply considering resting some key players before reaching the NBA Playoffs.
Denver Nuggets Reveal Nikola Jokic’s Final Status vs OKC Thunder
DENVER, COLORADO – NOVEMBER 02: Nikola Jokic #15 and Aaron Gordon #32 of the Denver Nuggets celebrate a shot in the second half against the Utah Jazz at Ball Arena on November 2, 2024, 2024 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images)
Hours before the game tips off, the Nuggets have decided to rule out the star center Nikola Jokic. His designation is wrist injury management.
The Nuggets enter the matchup on Friday night as one of the hottest teams in the NBA.
After they took care of business against the Memphis Grizzlies on April 8, the Nuggets collected their 10th win of the year. That marks the most notable winning streak for the Nuggets since the start of the Jokic era.
Recently, the Nuggets moved into the Western Conference’s third seed. They jumped the Los Angeles Lakers, who recently snapped a three-game losing streak.
The Nuggets are 52-28 on the year with a 1.0-game lead over the Lakers and the surging Houston Rockets.
The Thunder Are Shorthanded
GettyOKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA – APRIL 5: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander #2 of the Oklahoma City Thunder celebrates a made basket during the first half against the Utah Jazz at Paycom Center on April 5, 2026 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Joshua Gateley/Getty Images)
The OKC Thunder are going to miss a lot of key players on Friday.
According to the injury report, the following Thunder players are out for the night: Alex Caruso, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Isaiah Hartenstein, Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Joe, Ajay Mitchell, Thomas Sorber, Cason Wallace, Jalen Williams, and Jaylin Williams.
With the Thunder clinching the Western Conference’s No. 1 seed on Wednesday night, they don’t have much incentive to play key players over the final two games.
Justin Grasso Justin Grasso is an NBA reporter, covering trending league news, transactions, injuries, and player developments. He is a credentialed journalist with nearly a decade of insider access. More about Justin Grasso
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