BREAKING: Nuggets Downgrade Nikola Jokić to Out Ahead of Huge Matchup Against Celtics

Ahead of their much-anticipated matchup on Tuesday night against the Boston Celtics, the Denver Nuggets announced that Nikola Jokić will be out of the lineup.

Jokić popped up on the injury report with an illness earlier Tuesday and was downgraded from probable to questionable before Denver eventually ruled him out. This is a tough blow for Denver who will be without their superstar center in a game where they could use him.

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic reacts in the second half against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

This will be the fourth game Jokić has missed this season as he missed three games earlier in the year while on paternity leave for the birth of his second child. The Nuggets went 1-2 in those games, and they have another tough matchup against the Celtics, who are one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference.

With Jokić out, the Nuggets will be missing their star who has averaged 31.5 points, 13.0 rebounds and 9.7 assists per game this season. With the three-time MVP sidelined, DeAndre Jordan and Zeke Nnaji should see an increased roles. Denver will also need Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. to step it up, as well as the rest of the roster.

Fans can watch the highly anticipated matchup Tuesday night on TNT with tip-off at 10 p.m. EST.