The Denver Nuggets faced a challenging start to their NBA Cup campaign as they were missing star center Nikola Jokic and head coach Michael Malone for their opening game against the New Orleans Pelicans.
Jokic was absent from the court due to personal reasons, while Malone opted to support his daughter Bridget in a high school volleyball playoff match, leaving lead assistant David Adelman in charge.
Adelman, stepping in for Malone, acknowledged the absence of Jokic as a significant challenge for the team. Jokic, who had recorded four consecutive triple-doubles, was dearly missed in the Nuggets' 101-94 loss to the Pelicans.
Regarding Jokic's return timeline, Adelman stated that it was uncertain, emphasizing that the reasons for his absence were personal and private matters that Jokic needed to address before making a comeback.
The Nuggets had not played a game since Jokic's stellar performance last Sunday, where he led the team to a victory over the Dallas Mavericks with an impressive stat line of 37 points, 18 rebounds, and 15 assists.
Adelman expressed his hope that Malone was fully focused on his daughter's volleyball match and not trying to keep up with the NBA game on his phone. Adelman, coming from a basketball family background with his father being former NBA coach Rick Adelman, highlighted the importance of being present for family moments that coaches often miss due to their commitments.
Bridget Malone, Michael Malone's daughter, is a talented volleyball player set to compete at the University of North Carolina, showcasing the strong athletic genes in the Malone family.
Despite the absence of key personnel, the Nuggets will look to regroup and bounce back in their upcoming games as they aim to make a strong statement in the NBA Cup.
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