MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Denver Nuggets’ standout center Nikola Jokic has been ruled out for the game against the Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday night, marking his third consecutive absence due to personal matters.

The towering 7-foot player, who has been awarded the Most Valuable Player title three times, currently leads the Nuggets with an impressive average of 29.7 points, 13.7 rebounds, and 11.7 assists per game.

Without Jokic, the Nuggets have faced challenges, suffering losses in their last two games — one against New Orleans last Friday and another against Memphis on Sunday.

As the Nuggets engage in their second game in Memphis before heading back to Denver, coach Michael Malone remained uncertain about Jokic’s potential return for the upcoming home matchup against Dallas on Friday.

“I have no idea about Friday,” Malone shared during his pregame comments on Tuesday. “There’s been no update from Denver. We will take another look at the situation once we get back home.”

The absence of Jokic has significantly affected the Nuggets’ performance. In their recent defeat, the Grizzlies were dominant on the boards, out-rebounding the Nuggets, including securing 10 offensive rebounds. Denver also encountered difficulties with 15 turnovers and managed only 41.7% shooting from the field. Furthermore, the team is also missing forward Aaron Gordon, who is another critical asset to their offensive strategy.

Malone emphasized the need for the team to adjust their playstyle despite Jokic’s absence. “We shouldn’t change the way we play,” he noted regarding life without their three-time MVP. “While it’s clear that we miss him, we need to play with more intensity. This is true whether Nikola is on the court or not. We have to embrace playing more physically.”