Nikola Jokic Out, Needs One More Game

Nikola Jokić was ruled out Friday against the Oklahoma City Thunder, leaving him at 64 games played. He needs to appear in Denver’s regular-season finale against the San Antonio Spurs on Sunday to meet the NBA’s 65-game requirement for awards. Jokić is averaging 27.8 points, an NBA-best 12.9 rebounds and 10.9 assists while shooting 56.9 percent from the field and 37.9 percent from three. Denver is 52-28 and holds the No. 3 seed, just one game ahead of the Lakers and Rockets. Jokić has criticized the rule before, saying it can force injured players onto the court.