Denver Nuggets were without star players Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray for a second straight game as they were beaten 120-108 on Wednesday by the Los Angeles Lakers.

The result leaves the Nuggets fourth in the West, with the same win/loss difference as the Lakers in third.

Prior to the game, coach Michael Malone had confirmed that both Jokic and Murray were "questionable", but Christian Braun would return after foot inflammation.

Braun finished with 10 points, four rebounds and three assists, but it was not enough to turn the result in Denver's favour.

Murray is nursing a sprained ankle that he could not move two hours before tip-off, while three-time MVP Jokic has injuries to his left ankle and right elbow.

"You listen to your body. I have to, as a head coach, trust our players as well as trust the training staff," said Malone.

There had been a suggestion from some that the Nuggets were resting both Jokic and Murray, but the idea of doing so against a team the Nuggets were in direct competition with for playoff seeding was quickly shot down by Malone.

Final #MileHighBasketball pic.twitter.com/q7HO4d6Hgj

— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) March 20, 2025

"I think that's just a bunch of bull****," said Malone.

"I mean, in the last 10 years, Nikola Jokic has played the second-most games in the NBA. Ten years. And the guys in that top 10, none of them are superstars.

"So, if Nikola is not playing, it's not because he's sitting. It's not because he needs rest. It's because he's hurt and he's trying to play through things that most wouldn't.

"We're at a point right now where we have to do what's best for not just Nikola but for all our guys as we move forward and try to close out this season."

Next up for the Nuggets is a trip to the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday.