Nikola Jokic Makes His Return and Leads Denver to Victory Against the Clippers
The highly anticipated return of Nikola Jokic resulted in a masterful performance. After missing 16 games due to a left knee injury sustained on December 29 against Miami, the Serbian center immediately returned to his excellent form with 31 points and 12 rebounds against the Clippers.
A Controlled Performance Despite Restrictions
Despite a playing time restriction imposed by coach David Adelman, limiting Jokic to just 25 minutes on the court, the three-time NBA MVP recorded his 29th double-double of the season. This minute limitation represents his second-lowest playing time this season, reflecting the caution of the Nuggets’ medical staff.
Jokic’s impact was particularly felt in the final quarter, where he scored 11 points in just 3 minutes and 47 seconds, allowing Denver to extend their lead from 5 to 16 points. This sequence sealed the game’s outcome against a Clippers team that had been in great form.
31-12-5-3 in 25 minutes lol pic.twitter.com/lw41B8nXtC
— Brett Usher (@UsherNBA) January 31, 2026
An Efficient Team Effort Around the Serbian Star
Tim Hardaway Jr. provided valuable support with 22 points, while Jamal Murray also contributed with 22 points and 9 assists. Murray, who made 4 three-pointers on 5 attempts, reached 20 points for the 35th time this season, tying his career record. Peyton Watson completed this offensive showcase with 21 points.
This victory comes as Denver maintained a respectable 10-6 record during Jokic’s absence, a period also marked by extended absences of Cameron Johnson and Christian Braun. The Nuggets confirm their strength in back-to-back games with a 7-3 record this season.
On the Los Angeles side, James Harden tried to keep his team afloat with 25 points and 9 assists, but it wasn’t enough against Denver’s offensive firepower. The Clippers were still riding an excellent streak of 16 wins in 19 games, the best winning percentage in the league during that stretch.
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