The Denver Nuggets beat the Indiana Pacers Saturday afternoon in Mexico City. A day later, they'd find themselves still stuck in the city as attempting to leave became a nightmare.

Because of these travel delays, Denver was forced to list all five of their starters, as well as DeMar DeRozan, as questionable ahead of Monday's game against the Houston Rockets. Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, Cameron Johnson, Christian Braun, and DeRozan all have ailments ranging from back spasms to sprained elbows.

According to Nuggets broadcaster Katy Winge, the team left Arena CDMX at 7:30 p.m. and reached the airport around 9 p.m. Once they arrived, it was discovered that their plane was experiencing mechanical issues. Players had boarded the plane when a part arrived around 1 a.m. The necessary part would be installed by 2:20 a.m.

Then another snag. The team was instructed to deplane at 3:25 a.m. as the door wouldn't fully close. Buses would then take the exhausted team back to their hotel at 5 a.m.

“One of the worst travel nights I can remember for the Nuggets,” Winge posted via X.

Sunday afternoon, the Nuggets would try to leave again. The plane would finally take off at 4:54 p.m., around 21 hours after the team left the arena.

Article Continues Below

Against the Pacers, Jokic would record a triple-double in 35 minutes with 19 points, 13 rebounds, and eight assists. Their bench would be quite productive as well, with 43 points.

The Nuggets will be facing quite the test Monday night against the Rockets, as the entire team, even down to the coaches, will be quite sleep-deprived.