LOS ANGELES — Nuggets guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope and two-way player Braxton Key were both away from the team Saturday and missed Denver’s game at the Los Angeles due to personal reasons, coach Michael Malone said.
Both players are expected to be back with the team by the time the Nuggets play their next game, Tuesday against the Phoenix Suns at Ball Arena.
Christian Braun started at shooting guard in Caldwell-Pope’s place vs. Los Angeles. Malone described Caldwell-Pope’s absence as a “family matter” and declined to go into further detail. He said he has been in touch with both players, “but right now it’s just personal for both those guys, and it’s not my business to put out in public.”
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Nuggets point guard Jamal Murray, who sprained his right ankle for the second time this season Thursday when the Nuggets (41-19) hosted Miami, went through his pregame routine and felt fine Saturday. He was inserted to Denver’s starting lineup after being questionable before warming up.
The Nuggets were 2-3 this season without Caldwell-Pope in the lineup entering their matchup with the Lakers.
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