Each of these players missing would change the entire game for the Nuggets and allow the Lakers some small advantage. We should know closer to the start of the game if Denver will

On the other side, the Lakers will also be shorthanded. Los Angeles has ruled out LeBron James, who continues to recover from a groin injury and they have also ruled out Luka Doncic due to left calf injury management and a right ankle sprain.

Nikola Jokic went for 35 points, 17 rebounds and seven assists in a bounce-back win for the Nuggets on Monday at Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s Thunder.