Nikola Jokic missed the Denver Nuggets' loss to the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday due to a calf injury.

"If there was any doubt, we will err on the side of caution with seven games left," said Michael Malone before the game.

Malone added that Jokic's status for Friday's game against the Suns will be determined later.

Jokic has now missed nine games on the season.

Joel Embiid has a narrow lead over Nikola Jokic in ESPN's final MVP straw poll for the 22-23 season.

Embiid has 790 total points to Jokic's 788, but Jokic has 42 first place votes compared to 40 for Embiid.

Embiid finished in second place on 45 ballots, six more than Jokic.

Giannis Antetokounmpo received 18 first place votes, 15 second place votes and 64 third place votes.

Rounding out the top-5 are Jayson Tatum and Luka Doncic. Tatum appears to have a firm grasp on the fourth spot, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Domantas Sabonis as threatening Jokic for the fifth spot.

The Western Conference is wide open this season, which gives the Denver Nuggets their best chance to reach The Finals in franchise history.

"I think given the state of the West, there's enormous pressure on this team right now," said Zach Lowe on his podcast of the Nuggets.

"I don't know if it's championship or bust, but if this team loses before the conference finals, it's going to be a disappointment. If they lose in the first round, it's going to be a catastrophe that I think will push some potential changes."

Later in the conversation with Adam Mares, Lowe directly said he was alluding to Michael Malone regarding potential changes.

"This is the year where Michael Malone, I think, is facing an enormous amount of pressure," said Mares.

"That's kind of what I was alluding to," replied Lowe.

The Denver Nuggets streak hit three straight losses on Sunday. Given the Nuggets still have a five-game lead atop the Western Conference, a more pressing concern is the health of Jamal Murray.

Denver's starting point guard exited Sunday's loss to the Brooklyn Nets early in the second half. Murray was dealing with some left knee soreness, but is reportedly "fine".

Murray missed all of last season, while recovering from a torn ACL suffered near the end of the 2020-21 season. Murray has missed time sporadically this season due to knee soreness, including a six-game stretch leading up to last month's All-Star break.

Jalen Brunson and Nikola Jokic have been named the NBA's Players of the Month for February.

Brunson averaged 27.3 points, 6.0 assists and 4.3 rebounds for the New York Knicks as they went 9-2.

Jokic averaged 22.6 points, 14.2 rebounds and 10.2 assists as the Denver Nuggets went 9-3.