DENVER — Three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic was sidelined for Denver’s clash with Jayson Tatum and the Celtics on Tuesday night because of an illness. The Nuggets center went from probable to questionable to out over the course of the day. He was seen leaving the arena a little more than an hour before tipoff.

One of the biggest matchups of the Tuesday night NBA slate pits the Denver Nuggets against the Boston Celtics in a battle of two of the best teams in the NBA so far this season. Unfortunately, the game’s biggest star will not be available.

"Injury Update: Nikola Jokic (Illness) will be out tonight against the Boston Celtics," the Nuggets announced. Sure enough, Nuggets fans expressed disappointment with the news, especially amid high expectations of an incredible battle between the two powerhouse teams.

Nikola Jokic will miss his fourth game of this season due to illness. He did not warm up before the Nuggets hosted the Boston Celtics on Tuesday.

The much anticipated matchup between the last two NBA champions took a big hit an hour before tipoff. Nikola Jokic, originally listed as questionable, was ruled out with an illness. The Denver Gazette watched Jokic leave the arena with a team trainer an hour before tipoff.