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Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets is a three-time NBA MVP.
The NBA Playoffs are around the corner. Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets are gearing up for another run in the postseason, and they have a good shot at getting the Western Conference’s third seed.
A Wednesday night (April 8) matchup against the Memphis Grizzlies tips off at 9 PM ET, and the Nuggets enter the matchup on a nine-game winning streak.
Seeing the Memphis injury report, it’s quite loaded against a nearly-healthy Nuggets team. Stars like Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray are good to go. This final week could serve as a solid preparation period to head into the NBA Playoffs with some major momentum.
Or, in the eyes of some, it’s a week full of risks that should be avoided.
Should The Nuggets Consider Resting Nikola Jokic?
GettyDENVER, COLORADO – OCTOBER 24: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets plays the Oklahoma City Thunder in the first quarter at Ball Arena on October 24, 2024 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
A Reddit user recently suggested that health is the No. 1 priority for the Nuggets at this point.
Looking at the remainder of the schedule, the Nuggets are facing teams with injured core players. Wednesday’s game, specifically, is against a severely undermanned team that is tanking.
While concern for the Nuggets’ health before playoffs is understandable, most fans seemingly reject the idea of resting a guy like Nikola Jokic before the postseason.
Here’s how fans reacted:
“Do they not get a 10-day break from regular season to playoffs?” A fan wrote
“So the team is on a roll, gelling well before playoffs, and you want to rest them?” said WatermelonMan921
“This is precisely what we said in 2024 post-ASB when the team was also on a roll. Just like that year, we need to be smart and pump the brakes to save our team from themselves. Do we really want a repeat of Wolves game 7 when the whole team was exhausted?” Suwegg1502 added.
“Depends I think. AG probably needs to sit a bit for sure. Jokic, for example has openly said before that he likes to play to be kept in rhythm,” said Naderni.
“They’re playing their best ball of the year. Don’t break up the chemistry right now,” Upper-Ad-9781 said.
“They don’t need to be resting. Sometimes that’s the worst thing you can do. They are starting to gel as a unit and need to keep that rhythm in motion,” said venser1992.
“Caring about other teams’ injuries is such a loser mentality. Can’t we still fall to the 5 seed? Take me to the playoffs on a win streak,” WowYouGotMe wrote.
The Nuggets Are On A Roll
GettyOKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA – MAY 05: Nikola Jokic #15 and Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets talk during the third quarter of Round Two Game One of the 2025 NBA Playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center on May 05, 2025 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
There isn’t a win streak as high as Denver’s currently. The Houston Rockets (7 games) and the Oklahoma City Thunder (6 games) are up there, but Denver just might be the hottest team in the league, recently getting a statement win over Victor Wembanyama and the Spurs.
Whether Jokic and some guys sit this week or not, rest is coming Denver’s way. Having guys sit out longer than the NBA Play-In Tournament might be another issue, as extended time off could create rust.
Most important of all, the Nuggets aren’t locked into the third seed. The Lakers are slipping, losing their last three games, but they only trail by 1.0 games. The surging Rockets just tied them.
Staying healthy is key for the Nuggets, but there might be more cons than pros to resting Jokic and the core group right now.
Justin Grasso Justin Grasso is an NBA reporter, covering trending league news, transactions, injuries, and player developments. He is a credentialed journalist with nearly a decade of insider access. More about Justin Grasso
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