Nuggets' Nikola Jokic to miss second straight game

DENVER — Nuggets starting center Nikola Jokic will not play against the Washington Wizards Wednesday night. It’s the second consecutive Denver’s starting center will miss with the flu.

Jokic was sent home Monday morning prior to shootaround before Denver’s win over Sacramento and did not participate in shootaround prior to Wednesday’s game against Washington. Jokic was getting IV’s around the clock but he’ll sit tonight in hopes of being ready for Friday against Boston.

In the 22-year-old’s place, the Nuggets will start Mason Plumlee. Plumlee started Monday against Sacramento and recorded ten points, 12 rebounds, and five assists, but did commit six turnovers in 31 minutes, the most he’s played since Denver acquired him from Portland on Feb. 13.

Danilo Gallinari (vertigo) will also miss tonight’s matchup with Washington as well. Juancho Hernangomez is expected to start in Gallinari’s place at small forward.

Darrell Arthur, who drew the majority of minutes at backup center against Sacramento, is expected to play a similar role versus the Wizards. Arthur scored seven points to go with four rebounds and three assists Monday in the win over the Kings.

Kenneth Faried (low back) will miss his sixth consecutive game.