Inside The Rockets

Nikola Jokic Status Revealed vs. Rockets

The Houston Rockets are playing the Denver Nuggets, but Nikola Jokic has been dealing with an ankle injury as of late.
Jeremy Brener|
Mar 15, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Washington Wizards forward Alex Sarr (20) defends Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) in the second quarter at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
Mar 15, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Washington Wizards forward Alex Sarr (20) defends Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) in the second quarter at Ball Arena. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

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Houston Rockets

The Houston Rockets are looking for their 10th straight win in their rise towards the top of the Western Conference as they take on Nikola Jokic's Denver Nuggets at the Toyota Center.

The Rockets have been granted a reprieve for tonight's game as Jokic has been ruled out for a fourth straight game with an ankle injury, according to ESPN insider Tim MacMahon.

While the Nuggets came away with a win in Jokic's first game missed against the Golden State Warriors, the Western Conference contender has dropped its last two matchups against the injured Los Angeles Lakers, who were without LeBron James, and the Portland Trail Blazers, who are bound for the lottery.

This bodes well for the red hot Rockets, but it doesn't guarantee a victory. The Rockets nearly lost in their last game against the Miami Heat, who had lost nine in a row going into the matchup, but Fred VanVleet's 37 points saved the day as Houston climbed to its ninth straight win.

The Rockets should try to take advantage in the paint with Alperen Sengun drawing Aaron Gordon as a matchup rather than Jokic.

The offense is also going to run more through Jamal Murray and Russell Westbrook with Jokic out, and that puts the Nuggets in a weird spot. They are a very different team without him, and they are trying to navigate how that looks in real time.

Houston needs to take its spot as a contender in the West and pull away with the win.

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Jeremy Brener
JEREMY BRENER

Jeremy Brener is an editor, writer and social media manager for several On SI sites. His work has also been featured in 247 Sports and SB Nation as a writer and podcaster. Brener grew up in Houston, going to Astros, Rockets and Texans games as a kid and resides in Central Florida. He graduated from the University of Central Florida with a Bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism minoring in Sport Business Management. Brener can be followed on Twitter @JeremyBrener.