The Denver Nuggets were without star center Nikola Jokic and coach Michael Malone for their NBA Cup opener Friday night against the New Orleans Pelicans. Jokic missed Denver's 101-94 loss for personal reasons.

NEW ORLEANS — Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic will not play against the Pelicans on Friday night due to personal reasons, according to the team’s injury report. Jokic was ruled out Friday around noon after being listed as questionable on Thursday.

The Nuggets were unsure when Jokic would re-join the team as of Friday evening before ... Adelman recognized the most difficult aspect of filling Malone’s shoes was that “Nikola’s not here” and endeavored to replace the three-time MVP “with ...