Emmanuel Mudiay misses second consecutive game with back pain

DENVER — Emmanuel Mudiay will miss his second consecutive game tonight when the Denver Nuggets host the Utah Jazz with what the team is describing as “low back pain.”

Mudiay left the Nuggets win over the Clippers Saturday in the early stages of the third quarter and did not return. The 21-year-old did not travel with the team to Minnesota and stayed in Denver to get further treatment.

“His back is still bothering him,” Michael Malone said pregame. “So no need to rush him back.”

Jameer Nelson will draw his second consecutive start at point guard with rookie Jamal Murray as the primary backup. Murray is coming off a 17-point outing on 7-13 shooting against the Timberwolves and is likely in line for more minutes than the 20 he played Sunday.

“The biggest positive coming out of the Minnesota game was Jamal Murray,” Malone said. “In the minutes and his play at the point guard position, he did a fantastic job out there. He was aggressive, he rebounded and looked to make plays. Another great opportunity for Jamal to get extended minutes at the backup one.”