Pistons vs Nuggets injury report: Nikola Jokic to play in Detroit

The NBA MVP is coming to town and will play.

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic wasn’t listed on the team’s 1:30 p.m. injury report on Friday, ahead of their game against the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena at 7 p.m.

It’s the second half of a back-to-back for the Nuggets (38-21, third in Western Conference), coming off a 121-112 loss Thursday night at the Milwaukee Bucks. Jokic had 32 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists in 38 minutes.

Jokic, a three-time league MVP, was ejected in the second quarter of last season’s visit to Detroit, a 107-103 Nuggets win in November 2023. Head coach Michael Malone was also ejected.

Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.

Standout guard Jamal Murray is listed as probable Friday with left knee inflammation. Murray scored 20 points in 40 minutes against the Bucks.

Standout forward Aaron Gordon is questionable with a left ankle sprain after playing 33 minutes against the Bucks.

For the Pistons, Simone Fontecchio (right finger) and Dennis Schröder (left ankle) are probable. Both missed the Pistons’ win Wednesday over Boston.

ANALYSIS:Pistons are the anti-Celtics. They might even help save the NBA

The Pistons (33-26) are in the midst of their best stretch in nearly two decades, carrying an eight-game winning streak into Friday’s contest. They’re 22-9 since Dec. 21 and a game behind the Indiana Pacers for the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference.

The Nuggets beat the Pistons in Denver, 134-121, on Dec. 28.

The NBA provides official injury report updates each hour.

[ MUST WATCH: Make “The Pistons Pulse” your go-to Detroit Pistons podcast, listen available anywhere you listen to podcasts (Apple, Spotify) ]