Denver Nuggets

Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. made some unfounded claims about the COVID-19 pandemic on his Snapchat on Tuesday, saying it's being used for a "bigger agenda" and "population control."

"Personally, I think the coronavirus is being used obviously for a bigger agenda," Porter Jr. said, per Clevis Murray of The Athletic.

"It's being used for population control in terms of being able to control the masses of people. The whole world is being controlled."

Porter did not provide any evidence for his claims.

He also said he has never been vaccinated in his life or "had any shots or anything like that."

As Murray noted, Porter attended the University of Missouri, which requires students born after 1956 to "comply with the two-dose MMR Immunization Policy."

Porter also added that he believes COVID-19 is "a serious thing" but that it's "being overblown."

At least 16.3 million people worldwide have tested positive for COVID-19 as of Tuesday evening, per the World Health Organization. Over 650,000 people have died.

In the United States, over 4.2 million people have tested positive, with over 146,000 people dying because of COVID-19. A total of 63,968 people tested positive on Monday alone, per WHO.

Porter, the Nuggets and 21 other NBA teams are sequestered on the league's campus in Walt Disney World near Orlando, Florida, to participate in the 2019-20 season's restart, which will officially begin Thursday after a four-and-a-half-month suspension because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Denver Nuggets big man Bol Bol put on a show during Wednesday's scrimmage against the Washington Wizards.

And then he was randomly drug-tested.

Mike Singer of the Denver Post noted the University of Oregon product had been scheduled for a random drug test after the game. In his team's 89-82 victory, Bol dominated on his way to 16 points, 10 rebounds and six blocks. The Sudan native did not play a game during the regular season because of a foot injury.

It wasn't just the stat line that stood out, but the versatility the 7'2", 220-pound center showed as well.

The 2019 second-round pick drilled two three-pointers, protected the rim, cleaned the boards and even unleashed an impressive pass on a fast break.

Bol played just nine games at Oregon because of injuries, but the Nuggets may have another formidable big man alongside Nikola Jokic if Wednesday was a sign of things to come.

More showings like that may mean more random drug tests in the future for Bol as well.

Bol Bol hasn't yet appeared in an NBA regular-season game, but the Denver Nuggets rookie flashed his potential in Wednesday's exhibition against the Washington Wizards.

The 2019 second-round pick started for Denver and finished with 16 points, 10 rebounds and six blocks in the 89-82 win in Orlando. He was also plus-18 in his 32 minutes of action.

He showed his full skill set in one highlight right out of the gate:

Bol continued to produce big moments on both ends of the court in his first action with the Nuggets:

It was enough to impress many people watching along:

The 7'2" forward always had enormous upside, which he showed briefly in Oregon, but injuries were a big concern heading into the draft. A foot problem kept him off the court throughout this season aside from eight games in the G League.

After a college career that lasted just nine games, there is still concern about his durability.

However, he was able to show plenty of positives Wednesday, perhaps providing the Nuggets with another weapon heading into the playoffs.

There were some downsides against the Wizards, including his five turnovers and 2-of-8 shooting from three-point range. Still, it was a lot to like for a first appearance at this level.

Denver Nuggets forward Jerami Grant chose to use his media availability Wednesday to keep the focus on social justice issues.

Grant used his time to remind people that the police officers who killed Breonna Taylor have not been charged or arrested:

Taylor, who was 26 years old at the time of her death in March, was shot eight times and killed when officers raided her apartment using a no-knock warrant, though the officers involved said they did knock. The raid was a part of a narcotics investigation into two men who lived 10 miles away, with police securing the warrant because a detective said one of the men previously had a package delivered to Taylor's address.

Taylor was asleep at the time of the raid but her boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, shot at the police who entered and attempted to call 911, believing an intruder had broken into the house. In the corresponding fire, Taylor was killed. Walker was initially charged with attempted murder of a police officer and first-degree assault, though both charges were later dropped. There were no drugs in the house.

None of the three detectives involved in the raid—Brett Hankison, Myles Cosgrove and Jonathan Mattingly—were arrested or charged with a crime. Hankison was later fired, while Cosgrove and Mattingly were put on administrative reassignment.

Many NBA players were hesitant to return to play this season, fearing it could serve as a distraction from the social justice movement happening around the country as protestors take to the streets to demand justice for Taylor, George Floyd and other Black people whom police have killed.

The NBA and NBPA agreed on a number of social justice-oriented messages players could wear on the backs of their jerseys, like "Black Lives Matter" or "Equality." But Grant has chosen to use his platform in a different way, attempting to keep the attention on Taylor and getting justice for her killing during his media time.

The Denver Nuggets announced star center Nikola Jokic joined the team inside the NBA's bubble at Walt Disney World Resort.

According to Yahoo Sports' Chris Haynes, the two-time All-Star is still awaiting clearance to resume working out.

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski and Brian Windhorst reported in June that Jokic had tested positive for COVID-19 in his native Serbia, which delayed his arrival to the United States for the NBA's restart.

Under the terms of the NBA's health and safety protocol, players flagged for a positive COVID-19 test are placed into isolation. In order to leave isolation, the player has to test negative twice over a period of more than 24 hours.

Haynes reported July 9 that Jokic hit the necessary benchmarks to travel to Florida.

The Nuggets will resume play Aug. 1 against the Miami Heat. Denver is third in the Western Conference at 43-22 and will have eight seeding games to potentially catch the Los Angeles Clippers, who are 1.5 games up in second place.

Jokic's contributions will be integral toward the team's hopes of at least reaching the conference finals. The 25-year-old is averaging 20.2 points, 10.2 rebounds and 6.9 assists through 65 games.

He might be displaying a new look when he takes the court in Florida too. Wojnarowski and Windhorst wrote he was down 40 pounds and had "transformed his body during the league's hiatus for the coronavirus pandemic."

Denver Nuggets big man Nikola Jokic is reportedly on the way to join his team in Orlando, Florida, for the NBA's restart plan.

"He should be here within the next couple days," Chris Haynes said of Jokic during a Thursday appearance on TNT's Inside the NBA. Haynes noted Jokic, who previously tested positive for COVID-19 in his home country of Serbia, has since tested negative twice.

This comes after Mike Singer of the Denver Post reported earlier Thursday that Jokic was still in Serbia because of "travel issues."

Jokic's father, Branislav, told Nova.rs (h/t Eurohoops.net) on June 24 that "Nikola is fine. It's been a week. What he had is gone. He is not showing symptoms. He is with us, and everything is fine."

Haynes cited sources who said the Nuggets big man is "in good health," which is a welcome development for a team with aspirations to challenge the best squads in the Western Conference once play resumes.

Denver has the third-best record in the West at 43-22 and is just 1.5 games behind the second-seeded Los Angeles Clippers with eight regular-season games remaining to make a move. It is difficult to envision the Nuggets making any such move without a healthy Jokic.

After all, he leads them in points (20.2), rebounds (10.2) and assists (6.9) per game while shooting 52.8 percent from the field and 31.4 percent from three-point range. The offense often runs through the two-time All-Star, and his ability to shoot from the outside and facilitate when double-teams come his way make him a matchup nightmare for opponents.

The Nuggets' first game back is scheduled for Aug. 1 against the Miami Heat.

It appears Jokic will be available to play in that contest.

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic remains in Serbia while dealing with travel issues, with no official timetable for his return to the United States.

Mike Singer of the Denver Post updated Jokic's status. It was previously known he did not travel to Orlando, Florida, with the Nuggets, but the team did not disclose whether he was in Serbia or the United States.

Jokic tested positive for COVID-19 in late June but has since tested negative in Serbia, per Kyle Fredrickson of the Denver Post. The Nuggets plan to fly Jokic into Orlando, where he will have to successfully pass two coronavirus tests at least 24 hours apart and then undergo a quarantine period, per NBA policy.

Branislav Jokic, Nikola's father, said he was feeling "fine" June 24.

"We are all fine. Nikola is fine. It's been a week. What he had is gone. He is not showing symptoms. He is with us, and everything is fine," Branislav Jokic told Nova.rs (h/t Eurohoops.net).

The NBA season does not begin until July 30, so Jokic has three weeks to figure out his travel plans, but there should be an understandable level of concern. Jokic will not be able to practice with the team until he completes the NBA's testing and quarantine protocol. He was already quarantined in Serbia after his positive test, so it's possible he will be in less-than-ideal condition when seeding games get underway.

Denver enters the Orlando bubble as the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference but is only 2.5 games ahead of the No. 6 seed Houston Rockets. While home-court advantage will not be a factor since every team plays in a neutral location, the Nuggets will want to emerge from this eight-game seeding phase with the most advantageous first-round matchup.

Jokic's health will be paramount to that effort. 

Former NFL star Peyton Manning spoke with Denver Nuggets players ahead of the NBA's restart later this month, according to Altitude Sports' Chris Dempsey.

The Athletic's Nick Kosmider reported Manning's speech "has been in the works since at least December." He added that the 14-time Pro Bowler became a fixture at Nuggets games this year.

While Manning spent the bulk of his playing career (13 years) with the Indianapolis Colts, he became a beloved figure in the Mile High City thanks to his four-year spell with the Denver Broncos. In his final season, the Broncos won their third Super Bowl title.

Perhaps whatever Manning said can help the Nuggets at least return to the second round of the NBA playoffs, where they lost to the Portland Trail Blazers in seven games in 2019. Denver sits third in the Western Conference at 43-22.

The NBA will stage eight seeding games to finalize the 16-team postseason field. The Nuggets will make their regular-season return on Aug. 1 against the Miami Heat.

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic was reportedly unable to travel with the team to Orlando, Florida, on Tuesday as he continues to face travel issues following his positive test for COVID-19 last month.

Kyle Fredrickson of the Denver Post reported Jokic has tested negative for COVID-19, but it is unclear if he is still in Serbia or has returned to the United States. Jokic is required to pass two COVID-19 tests in Serbia and an additional two in the United States upon his arrival, per NBA policy.

The team declined to disclose Jokic's location Tuesday.

The All-Star center had been quarantined in Serbia since testing positive for the novel coronavirus in late June. Branislav Jokic, Nikola's father, said he was feeling "fine" June 24.

"We are all fine. Nikola is fine. It's been a week. What he had is gone. He is not showing symptoms. He is with us, and everything is fine," Branislav Jokic told Nova.rs (h/t Eurohoops.net).

Nuggets coach Michael Malone told reporters last week he was under the impression Jokic was "excited to get back," and the team was hopeful he would be able to travel with it to Orlando.

The NBA season does not resume until July 30, so Jokic has plenty of time to return and get through protocols. However, given that it's been nearly four months since he played basketball with his teammates, the Nuggets will want him to rejoin the team as soon as possible.

Denver will go into seeding games as the No. 3 team in the Western Conference.

Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic continues to recover from COVID-19 overseas, though the Nuggets expect he'll join them in Orlando soon enough for the NBA restart.   

"Nikola feels great," Denver head coach Michael Malone told reporters Wednesday (h/t ESPN's Ohm Youngmisuk). "We are working on getting him back here. Next Tuesday we depart for Orlando; the hope and expectation is that Nikola Jokic will be with us on that plane. From everything that I have heard and talked to him, he feels great, he feels fine and is excited to get back."

Youngmisuk notes Jokic, who is currently at home in Serbia, will need to test negative for the virus twice within 24 hours before he'll be allowed to travel to the United States. 

The coronavirus has infected a number of undisclosed Nuggets employees, leading the team to shut down team facilities to limit the spread.

Malone agreed with that decision:

"We felt it was the right thing to do. Today was supposed to be the first day of Phase 3 where all our players were required to be back in the gym and we are allowed to work with them albeit just 1-on-0. We have put the safety of our team ahead of this Phase 3. There is a chance we can open the gym up before we leave, depending upon results in the coming days. I am not going to get into who tested but we have had multiple people in our travel party test positive."

Denver expects to enter the restart as one of a handful of true title contenders when play resumes in late July. 

When the league went on hiatus on March 11, the Nuggets were 43-22 and in third place in the Western Conference, just seven games back of the first-place Los Angeles Lakers. 

A big part of that has been Jokic. The 24-year-old is in the midst of arguably his best season yet, averaging 20.2 points, 10.2 rebounds, 6.9 assists and 1.2 steals per game. 

Assuming he gets cleared to return to the Nuggets, there's a chance he could provide a much different look  for the club. Listed at 7'0", 253 pounds, Jokic reportedly lost a significant amount of weight during the hiatus.

The big man is the key to Denver's success either way. As long as he's healthy, that's all the club will care about.