Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic was unexpectedly ruled out for Wednesday’s contest against the Houston Rockets. Not on the initial injury report, Jokic was downgraded to out with right elbow inflammation.

The Nuggets are not invincible on 24 hours of rest after all. Neither is Nikola Jokic. Back home after blowing out Dallas in prime time, Denver was dealt an unexpected blow an hour before opening tip Wednesday when Nikola Jokic was ruled out due to right elbow inflammation,

The Houston Rockets were in rebuilding mode a couple of seasons ago, and now it seems as if they're in contending mode. Houston has won four games in a row -- the last two over the Memphis Grizzlies -- and sits second overall in the Western Conference heading into its game at the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night.