Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic will miss Wednesday's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder due to lower back pain, marking only his second absence this season.

Jokic previously missed a game on November 27th for the same reason, but the Nuggets still secured a victory over the Los Angeles Clippers. This game against the Thunder holds significant importance, as both teams are vying for the second and third spots in the Northwest Division.

Jokic's absence represents a significant loss for the Nuggets, as he averages 26.3 points, 12.1 rebounds, and 9.0 assists per game. His rebounding and assist averages rank third and fourth in the league, respectively. He recently recorded a triple-double of 25 points, 16 rebounds, and 12 assists in Monday's win over the Milwaukee Bucks.

This is the final game of the season series between the Nuggets and Thunder, with Denver currently trailing 1-2. The team will need to step up collectively to overcome Jokic's absence and secure a crucial victory in the tight divisional race.