Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic is set to return to the lineup on Friday against the Los Angeles Clippers after missing the last month with a hyperextended left knee, ESPN’s Shams Charania reports. Jokić, listed as questionable on the team’s injury report, has been out since suffering the injury against the Miami Heat on Dec. 29.
Jokić, who was initially ruled out for at least four weeks, sat out 16 games in all — the most he’s ever missed in a season in his career. With Jokić sidelined, the Nuggets managed to go 10-6 and currently have a 32-16 record, good for third place in the Western Conference.
A three-time MVP, Jokić will be eligible for NBA awards and All-NBA honors provided he reaches the 65-game threshold. He’s played in 32 games this year and the Nuggets have 34 regular-season games remaining — giving Jokić a thin margin to reach his 65th game. Jokić is also expected to suit up for Sunday’s showdown against the Oklahoma City Thunder, the defending NBA champions.
Jokić is averaging 29.6 points, 12.2 rebounds and 11.0 assists per game. He leads the NBA with 16 triple-doubles. He has the second-best odds to win MVP (+550) at FanDuel, behind Oklahoma City Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, a heavy favorite at -340.
NBA MVP outlook with Jokić back
With Jokić returning to the lineup against the Clippers, he will still be in the mix to earn All-NBA and MVP honors. While Gilgeous-Alexander is the clear betting favorite entering the weekend, Jokić can make things interesting down the stretch. However, if Jokić misses two more games the rest of the season, he would be ineligible for those awards.
Gilgeous-Alexander has missed just two of OKC’s 49 games this season. Los Angeles Lakers star Luka Dončić, who is third in MVP odds (+1700) behind Gilgeous-Alexander and Jokić, has appeared in 38 of the Lakers’ 46 games this season.
Further down the odds board are Cade Cunningham (+2700) and Jaylen Brown (+5000) with Jalen Brunson, Anthony Edwards and Tyrese Maxey all listed at +25000 at FanDuel.
Denver gets a boost at the perfect time
The news of Jokić’s return comes at an ideal time for the Nuggets, who have dealt with an array of injuries throughout the season. On Thursday, the Nuggets announced that forward Aaron Gordon will miss at least the next month with a right hamstring strain. Gordon will be re-evaluated in four to six weeks, which sets him up to potentially return in March, just ahead of the regular season’s home stretch.
Aaron Gordon injury: Nuggets forward (hamstring) facing another extended absence in latest blow for Denver
Carter Bahns
The Nuggets have kept the ship afloat with several deep reserves seeing significant action — but reinforcements appear to be coming.
Denver coach David Adelman said this week that he hopes Jokić, Christian Braun and Cameron Johnson will all return before the All-Star break. Braun (ankle), who recently signed a five-year extension, has played in just 14 games this season. Johnson, who was acquired in the offseason in a deal centered around Michael Porter Jr., has played in just 28 games. Gordon has appeared in 23 games, while Jokić has played 32. The Nuggets face the Clippers, Thunder, Detroit Pistons and New York Knicks before the All-Star break.
One of the reasons Denver has managed to stay at the top of the standings is the play of star guard Jamal Murray, who is averaging career bests in points (25.9), assists (7.3) and rebounds (4.3). Additionally, Peyton Watson, a first-round pick in the 2022 NBA Draft, is in the midst of a breakout season. Watson is averaging 14.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.9 assists. Watson has started 35 games this season (45 appearances) after starting just 24 games during his first three years in the NBA.
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