Nuggets without Nikola Jokic, Michael Malone in loss to Pelicans

NEW ORLEANS — The Denver Nuggets were without star center Nikola Jokic and coach Michael Malone for their NBA Cup opener Friday night against the New Orleans Pelicans.

Jokic missed Denver’s 101-94 loss for personal reasons. Malone stayed behind to watch daughter Bridget compete in a high school volleyball playoff match.

Nuggets head assistant David Adelman took over for Malone and said the toughest challenge in stepping in was that “Nikola’s not here.”

Adelman said he did not know how long Jokic — who has had four consecutive triple-doubles — will be out.

“These are personal reasons for him,” Adelman said. “It’s the stuff at home. For some, it’s their business. When he feels he’s ready to come back, he comes back.”

The Nuggets hadn’t played since Sunday, when Jokic had 37 points, 18 rebounds and 15 assists in a 122-120 home win over Dallas.

Adelman said he hoped Malone wouldn’t try to watch the NBA game on his phone while his daughter was playing.

“He’s watching his daughter play — it’s really cool,” said Adelman, whose father is former NBA coach Rick Adelman. “Coming from being a coach’s son and growing up around this, there are things you miss as a dad. It’s really cool that he’s there.”

Bridget Malone will play at the University of North Carolina.