Emmanuel Mudiay

Nuggets' Emmanuel Mudiay says he won't play Friday

Denver Nuggets point guard Emmanuel Mudiay (back) said he he won't play on Friday against the New York Knicks.

What It Means:

"It's back spasms," Mudiay said about his injury. "It's my first time, that's why I don't know how to handle it." He's progressing in his rehab, but doesn't have a return date set. With Mudiay sidelined, Jameer Nelson becomes a solid short-term pickup and Jamal Murray could be worth a look in deeper formats.

Mudiay's -5.8 nERD is tied for third-worst in the NBA this season. He's averaging 11.8 points, 4.2 assists, 3.5 rebounds and 1.1 3-pointers per game, but making just 36.9 percent of his shots from the field -- including 30.8 percent from deep. His 21.7 percent assist rate is a steep drop from last year's 29.0 percent clip.