Denver was fending for the first time this season without Nikola Jokic, who didn’t travel with ... I’ll leave it at that.” The Nuggets were unsure when Jokic would re-join the team as of Friday evening before the opening tip.

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

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.