OKLAHOMA CITY – With Nikola Jokic back in Denver, all eyes moved to Jamal Murray on Wednesday in Oklahoma City.

“I understand what he’s fighting out there. He’s got all five guys gameplanning to stop Jamal Murray,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said after Denver’s 105-100 loss to the Thunder. “Every time we took Jamal out, put him back in, Lu Dort went back in.”

Dort, a Canadian like Murray and potential Olympic teammate, has made his name in the league as a physical defender. The Nuggets lamented their inability to get Dort off of Murray.

“Lu Dort, that’s what he’s known for, and Jamal you know, always plays well with guys that are physical with him, too,” Christian Braun said in the postgame locker room.

“He will tell you that he doesn’t care, but we got to do a better job of getting those guys off of him. When a team is doing that, you got to hold screens.”

Murray scored 16 points on 14 shots in 38 minutes and 31 seconds of playing time. He also dished out four assists, grabbed three rebounds and blocked a couple of shots in the loss. Most of that production happened after he was leveled by a screen in the second quarter. He stayed on the court for a bit, testing his left knee. Malone said he briefly left the court to get checked on but was fine to return.

“I give Jamal credit, man. He’s definitely battling through bumps and bruises like everybody at this time of the year, but I’m proud of his toughness for being able to play the way he played,” Malone said.

“The kid’s a warrior. No doubt about that.”

Jokic misses second game of season

Denver’s six-time All-Star was ruled out of Wednesday’s game a few hours before tipoff, as his low-back pain persisted.

Nuggets coach Michael Malone said it wasn’t too concerning, but the medical staff opted to play it safe.

“It’s always concerning, but I wouldn’t say it’s anything that I think is going to be a long-term concern,” Malone said pregame.

“That back pain was not improving, wasn’t getting any better, so it was just determined by the medical staff to try to get that back right with rehab and treatment.”

Jokic stayed in Denver was not on the bench for Wednesday’s game. It was just the second game he’s missed this season. The Nuggets won the first, beating the Clippers in Los Angeles in late November.

Aaron Gordon started at center in Oklahoma City, and Peyton Watson completed the starting lineup, his third start of the season. 

Zeke Nnaji returned to the rotation as the back-up center, finishing with two points on four shots with three rebounds and an assist. DeAndre Jordan, who has been serving as Jokic’s back-up did not play.

No Nuggets selected for Rising Stars event

It’s looking more likely that Nikola Jokic could be the only full-time Nuggets player participating in the All-Star festivities.

Neither Peyton Watson nor Christian Braun were included in the initial rosters for the Rising Stars Challenge, a competition between some of the league’s best first- and second-year players.

“I think a lot of times, you get players that are playing a lot of minutes, so they have a chance to really build their stats, their portfolio, if you will. For Peyton, obviously, we know his impact, but if you just look on a piece of paper, you may not pick him,” Malone said.

“Peyton’s impact is real on both ends for us. Disappointing, but I think all of our guys understand that it’s much more about the team than any individual accolades or recognition.”

Collin Gillespie, a two-way player who has split time between the Nuggets and Grand Rapids Gold, was selected for the G League Up Next Game.

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Aaron Wiggins, right, tries to get to the ball before Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, left, in the second half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Oklahoma City. (AP Photo/Kyle Phillips)

Kyle Phillips