Russell Westbrook has displayed extraordinary chemistry with Nikola Jokic. But if he remains a starter for the Nuggets once they’re at full strength, who won’t?

“We had a conversation when he came to me in training camp,” Michael Malone said. “And he asked me, he goes, ‘Coach, do you think I should shoot more 3s?'” Denver had already attempted the fewest 3-pointers in the league the previous season. And that was before losing 3-and-D guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope in free agency.

Aaron Gordon is back after missing nine games with a calf injury, as the Nuggets take on the Mavericks in Dallas.

After scoring 13 critical points to spark the Nuggets’ comeback win at the Mavericks on Sunday, Aaron Gordon mapped out his future minutes as he returns from a calf injury.

Denver Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook started his 12th game of the NBA season on Friday night. Winning nine of his 11 starts entering Friday’s game against the San Antonio Spurs, Westbrook has been one of Denver’s most impactful players.

The Nuggets have experience beating the Clippers without Nikola Jokic. They pulled it off in Los Angeles last season, led by Reggie Jackson’s stirring 35-point, 13-assist performance. Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon were also absent from that game,

Gordon (calf) played 18 minutes off the bench and finished with 13 points (6-7 FG, 1-2 3Pt), six rebounds, two assists and one block in Sunday's 112-101 win over the Mavericks. Though Gordon was cleared to play after missing the Nuggets' previous nine games with a right calf strain,