Nuggets without their starting point guard Friday versus Pelicans

DENVER — The Nuggets will be without starting point guard Jameer Nelson for a pivotal matchup Friday against the Pelicans in Denver, coach Michael Malone said at shootaround.

Jameer is out. Barton is out according to Malone. "When it comes to everyone else I think they're all in but who knows (laughs)."

— T.J. McBride (@TJMcBrideNBA) April 7, 2017

Nelson, who’s been bothered with a right calf strain since injuring it March 31 in Denver’s loss to Charlotte, missed the Nuggets’ two wins against the Heat and Pelicans but returned and started at point guard in Denver’s loss in Houston Wednesday.

Nelson recorded 8 points on 3-9 shooting and 5 assists in 32 minutes against the Rockets.

Friday’s matchup is setting up to be a pivotal game for Denver, who’s battling for the eighth seed in the Western Conference with the Portland Trail Blazers. Denver currently trails Portland by one-and-a-half-games and the Trail Blazers magic number sits at two.

If Portland is able to go 1-2 in their last three games, the Nuggets must go a perfect 4-0 to get to one game clear of the Trail Blazers, who have clinched the tiebreaker. The Trail Blazers host the Utah Jazz Saturday.

In place of Nelson, Denver will likely turn to rookie Jamal Murray, who started at point guard in Denver’s two road wins earlier this week. The No. 7 overall pick in last summer’s draft had a nine-point, three-steal outing in Miami Sunday and followed that up with 16 points on 7-15 shooting to go with 5 rebounds and 5 assists against the Pelicans two nights later.

Friday will be Murray’s fourth start at point guard this season.

Will Barton (left foot soreness), who’s missed Denver’s last four games is also out. Darrell Arthur (left knee soreness) is expected to play.