Nuggets All-Star Nikola Jokic re-tested negative for COVID-19 but has endured ongoing travel complications as the rest of the team flew to Orlando on Tuesday, a league source confirmed to The Denver Post.
Nuggets coach Michael Malone told reporters last week that the “hope and expectation” was Jokic would be with his teammates for their arrival at the NBA’s bubble to resume the season. However, a team spokesman on Tuesday declined to comment on Jokic’s location or whether he was on the team plane.
Based on what I’m hearing, Nikola Jokic won’t be on the Nuggets’ flight today to ORL. Would’ve needed 2 neg. tests in Serbia & 2 more neg. tests before getting on plane, per NBA protocol. Source said he tested negative in Serbia, and is fine health-wise but faced travel issues.
— Mike Singer (@msinger) July 7, 2020
It does not appear Jokic’s long-term health is a concern. Last week, Malone said: “From everything I’ve heard and talked to him; he feels great, he feels fine and is excited to get back.”
Jokic tested positive for coronavirus in late June while visiting Serbia where he had since quarantined.
The NBA required Jokic to report two negative tests from Serbia, and twice more back in the United States, before being cleared to travel with the Nuggets, according to the league’s health and safety protocol.
Jokic averaged 20.2 points, 10.2 rebounds and 6.9 assists before the season was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
