Nuggets Notes: Westbrook, Jokic, Gordon, Braun

The NBA has rescinded a technical foul called against Nuggets guard Russell Westbrook in Tuesday’s game against Memphis, writes Bennett Durando of The Denver Post. Durando notes that Westbrook seemed more puzzled than angry when he got whistled for the T for staring at Santi Aldama while running back on defense.

“I knew it wasn’t a tech,” Westbrook told reporters. “You guys know if I’m gonna get a tech, I’m gonna earn it. So I didn’t say anything, that one. So I’m happy that (the league) looked over and got it rescinded.”

The decision saves Westbrook a $2K fine and takes away a negative from a history-making night. The 36-year-old point guard came off the bench for 12 points, 10 rebounds and 14 assists, marking his 200th career triple-double.

“When you set a standard of doing something consistently, people don’t know how to react to it, and I love that,” he said. “That’s the best part of the journey, just being able to do things that haven’t been done.”

There’s more on the Nuggets:

• Nikola Jokic is still with his family in Denver, and the team isn’t sure if he’ll be available for Friday’s NBA Cup game against Dallas, Durando states in a separate story. Jokic has missed three straight games for personal reasons, and Nuggets officials are respecting his wishes to keep the details private. “Definitely always touching base,” coach Michael Malone said. “Not to be overbearing, but my job as a coach is to — I care about (Jokic’s wife) Natalija and their family. … So I’m constantly calling and texting and communicating with all of our guys to see how they’re doing and any updates (in a family-related absence). But not to the point where it’s overbearing. But yeah, communication is always helpful. Especially while guys are away from the team and out. And hopefully, we can get Nikola back as soon as possible.”
• Aaron Gordon wasn’t able to practice Thursday and will miss his seventh straight game on Friday, Durando adds. There’s no word on how soon he might be able to return after straining his right calf in early November. “This will be the most time (Gordon) has missed since I’ve been here,” Peyton Watson said. “I don’t think he’s ever missed this much time. And for a long time, I thought AG was bullet-proof. So it sucks not to have him, but when he gets back, we’ll just be focused on trying to get him back to the elite level he was playing at before.”
• Christian Braun talks to Grant Afseth of Sportskeeda about the adjustment of moving into the starting lineup and the advice he’s gotten from Westbrook, Jamal Murray and former teammate Kentavious Caldwell-Pope. “I sit by Jamal every day and have learned a lot both on and off the court,” Braun said. “I’ve had great vets who have helped with routine stuff — Russ, too. I’ve picked up things from their routines on off days and game days.”