Nuggets lead assistant David Adelman took over for Malone and said the most difficult challenge of stepping in was that “Nikola is not here.”

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 ...