Nuggets center Nikola Jokic plans to return to action on Friday night when Denver hosts the Clippers, sources tell ESPN’s Shams Charania (Twitter link).
Jokic has been on the shelf for a month due to a hyperextended left knee and bone bruise. He last played on December 29 and has missed the Nuggets’ past 16 games.
Charania said in mid-January that the Nuggets were optimistic about Jokic’s odds of returning to action before the end of the month. However, Charania subsequently suggested during a TV appearance on Tuesday that the three-time MVP would be reevaluated next week and that Denver was prepared to hold him out for a little longer than initially expected to make sure he was back to 100%.
Based on the timeline Charania outlined earlier this week, Jokic would have missed intra-conference showdowns vs. the Clippers and Thunder this weekend and would have become ineligible for end-of-season awards by missing his 17th and 18th games, ensuring he’d have no path to reach the 65-game minimum.
Instead, he appears on track to play in home games against L.A. and Oklahoma City and will remain award-eligible for now — if he doesn’t miss a game the rest of the way, Jokic would reach 66 appearances for the season.
Jokic will certainly warrant MVP and All-NBA consideration if he gets to the 65-game threshold. Prior to the injury, he was averaging a career-high 29.6 points per game while leading the NBA with 12.2 rebounds and 11.0 assists per contest. His shooting line on the season is an incredible .605/.435/.853.
The Nuggets played well during Jokic’s injury absence, going 10-6 to maintain their hold on the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference. However, their depth will continue to be tested even with Jokic and fellow center Jonas Valanciunas back from their respective injuries.
Forward Aaron Gordon was diagnosed this week with a right hamstring strain and is expected to be sidelined for four-to-six weeks. Additionally, starting shooting guard Christian Braun has suited up for just three contests since November 12 due to an ankle injury.
Unanimous MVP still in reach.
After a month, the nba will be fun to watch again
Our GOAT, our savior has returned! All hail the Serbian Basketball God!
Mad props to Murray, Pwat and Co for keeping this team afloat. Adleman deserves coach of the year simply based on this last month alone.
Or possibly Mazzula.
What happened to Nikola? He used to not give 2shiits about personal rewards