Denver was dealt an unexpected blow an hour before opening tip Wednesday when Nikola Jokic was ruled out due to right elbow inflammation.

Nikola Jokic was ruled out with elbow inflammation 45 minutes before the Nuggets hosted the Rockets on Wednesday. He sustained the injury warming up.

Jamal Murray’s season-high scoring night came on the heels of Michael Malone almost shutting him down at halftime in Denver’s previous game on Sunday.

Jokic leads the NBA in 3-point percentage.

Jamal Murray is “not 100% healthy,” Michael Malone said on Sunday after Murray helped spark the Nuggets’ comeback win against the Mavericks.