David Adelman asked the Denver Nuggets’ key players to take an honest look at their readiness after the team’s travel problems leaving Mexico City, with both their physical condition and mental fatigue part of the conversation.
Before Monday’s game against the Houston Rockets, Adelman revealed that he had texted his core players Sunday night. The Nuggets coach wanted them to assess how the ordeal had affected them before deciding whether to play.
David Adelman said he texted the “main guys” last night: “I think you guys need to honestly have a conversation with yourselves and see where you’re at, physically, mentally. … The mental part can lead to a physical problem, and that’s a real thing in the situation we were in.”
— Bennett Durando (@BennettDurando) November 10, 2026
Adelman also expressed concern that mental fatigue could have physical consequences in the circumstances Denver faced. His explanation offered context for the uncertainty surrounding a lineup that had spent much of Sunday’s injury-report cycle listed as questionable.
The Nuggets held off on a decision until they could assess their starters Monday morning. By Monday evening, it was confirmd that all five starters and DeMar DeRozan were available against Houston.
All the starters plus DeMar DeRozan are in! https://t.co/rQ8ls7yqrG
— Katy Winge (@katywinge) November 10, 2026
Nuggets’ Mexico City delay stretched into Sunday evening
The disruption began after Denver’s game in Mexico City on Saturday. Team reached the airport at 9 p.m. but did not return to its hotel until 5 a.m., following hours spent waiting aboard the plane because of aircraft problems.
One of the worst travel nights I can remember for the Nuggets. Now all five starters plus DeRozan are questionable vs Houston.
Arrived at airport last night at 9pm. Plane complications end with the team going back to hotel at 5am after waiting on the plane.
Leaving Mexico now!
— Katy Winge (@katywinge) November 8, 2026
Denver eventually reached Houston at approximately 6:30 p.m. Sunday, according to Katy Winge’s arrival update. She put the delay at 16 hours.
đź“Ť Landed in Houston. 6:30pm. 16 hours late.
— Katy Winge (@katywinge) November 9, 2026
That left the Nuggets with a substantially shorter turnaround in Houston before Monday’s game. Adelman’s message addressed how his players felt after that disrupted trip, while the injury report listed individual ailments.
Nikola Jokic and Denver’s starters cleared to face Rockets
Earlier Monday, the NBA’s 3:30 p.m. ET injury report listed Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Christian Braun, Aaron Gordon, Cameron Johnson and DeRozan as probable.
Jokic was listed with a right elbow sprain and Murray with a left shin contusion. Braun’s designation included a left calf contusion and illness, while Gordon was listed for left calf injury management.
Johnson had a right ankle sprain and DeRozan had low back spasms. Their subsequent clearance gave Adelman access to his usual starting group and DeRozan.
Julian Strawther was listed out with a left knee sprain. Denver beat Indiana 114-102 on Saturday, with Jokic finishing with 19 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists.
