Double surprise at the Smoothie King Center for the meeting between the Pelicans and the Nuggets, since Nikola Jokic and Mike Malone are missing!
Already deprived of Aaron Gordon, the 2023 NBA champions nevertheless came looking for a 6th victory in a row for this first NBA Cup match, and they arrived without their leader, nor their coach, absent at the last minute.
It was around noon that the Nuggets announced that Nikola Jokic would not make the trip, for “personal reasons”. “He’s fine. It's for personal reasons and I won't say any more.” replied David AdelmanMike Malone's replacement. “He has things to deal with at home, and when he feels ready to come back, he will come back.”
Mike Malone attends a volleyball tournament…
For Mike Malone, his absence is linked to another sport. It's also for “personal reasons”, but the Nuggets coach stayed in Denver to attend a volleyball tournament in which his daughter is participating! She is a high school student at Mountain Vista High School, and she is expected to join North Carolina next season.
“As the son of a coach, I grew up in this environment, and there are things that you miss as a father… So, it’s really cool that he’s there for her”estimates David Adelman, Rick's son. “It’s something you don’t want to miss.” It's just one game for the Nuggets… even though it's very important to her. This is very important to their family. So I’m glad he’s there.”
At the finish, the Nuggets lost to the Pelicans, who nevertheless remained on six defeats in a row.
