Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone didn’t hold back in his fiery response to ESPN’s Tim Bontemps, who criticized the team for sitting Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray during their regular-season game against the Golden State Warriors. Ahead of Wednesday’s highly anticipated matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers, Malone made his stance clear, brushing off the backlash as "a bunch of bulls****" and passionately defending his players.
“You all listen to your body,” Malone said, his voice unwavering. “And it’s not just Nikola, it’s also our training staff. I have to, as a head coach, trust our players as well as trust the training staff. Somebody said the other night after the Golden State game that ‘what the Denver Nuggets did was a disgrace to the league.’ And I think that’s just a bunch of bulls****. We’re not out here trying to disrespect the game — we’re trying to keep our guys healthy and make sure they’re able to perform when it matters most."
Bontemps, during his appearance on Get Up, criticized the Nuggets’ decision to rest their two superstars, calling it a “horrible look for the league” — a comment that ignited a fresh round of debate about player availability in high-profile games and the growing issue of load management in the NBA. Malone, however, shut down that narrative, clarifying that this wasn’t about load management at all, but rather about protecting two injured stars who were pushing their limits.
“If Nikola’s not playing, it’s not because he’s sitting, it’s not because he needs rest — it’s because he’s hurt and he’s trying to play through things that most wouldn’t,” Malone continued. “This guy is a two-time MVP, and Jamal has given everything he has to this team, especially after coming back from a devastating ACL injury. We’re not about to run these guys into the ground for the sake of public perception. We have to do what’s best for our guys as we move forward.”
The Nuggets, severely handicapped without their two biggest offensive weapons, put up a valiant fight but ultimately couldn’t overcome the Lakers, falling 120-108 at Crypto.com Arena. Jokić, nursing a bruised right elbow, and Murray, dealing with a sprained right ankle, both missed their second consecutive game. The absence of their combined production — a powerful 50.6 points, 16.6 rebounds, and 16.4 assists per game — left Denver scrambling to find answers on both ends of the court.
Meanwhile, the Lakers were battling their own injury woes. LeBron James, sidelined with a strained left groin, and Rui Hachimura, dealing with left patellar tendinopathy, remained out of the lineup. James has now missed six straight games, while Hachimura sat out his ninth in a row. Lakers head coach JJ Redick provided little certainty about their returns, stating both players remain “day-to-day.”
Even with their own stars missing, the Lakers managed to rally. Luka Dončić, who had missed last week’s contest against Denver, returned despite his own right ankle soreness, delivering a spark that the Lakers desperately needed.
“You can always gather information from any game,” Redick said during his pregame comments. “And Wednesday will be no different. We’re still figuring things out, and even with guys missing, we’re going to compete and find ways to win.”
Denver did get a small boost with the return of guard Christian Braun, who was back on the court after missing Monday’s game with left foot inflammation. Braun’s presence added some defensive stability, but it wasn’t enough to make up for the massive void left by Jokić and Murray.
The Lakers, who nearly stole a win in their last meeting with Denver despite being shorthanded, capitalized on the Nuggets' weakened roster this time. With Dončić back on the floor and Denver struggling to generate consistent offense, Los Angeles took full advantage, controlling the pace and ultimately securing a convincing victory at home.
For Malone and the Nuggets, the bigger picture remains clear — this season is about more than individual games. It’s about staying healthy, weathering injuries, and keeping their stars ready for the long haul, no matter what outside voices have to say.
