Nikola Jokic Returns Tonight with Denver After a Month Absence

Nikola Jokic is preparing to return to NBA courts. Absent since December 29th due to a left knee injury sustained against the Miami Heat, the Serbian center for the Denver Nuggets is expected to make his return this Friday night against the Los Angeles Clippers at home, according to information from ESPN reported by Shams Charania.

Denver's Nikola Jokic – out since Dec. 29 with a knee injury – plans to return tonight against the Los Angeles Clippers at home, sources tell ESPN. Jokic now is in position to also play in Sunday's showdown vs. Oklahoma City in Denver and be eligible for the season awards. pic.twitter.com/2Y6bncli50

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 30, 2026

A Crucial Return for Individual Awards

This month-long absence will have cost the Nuggets star 16 games, and he can now only afford to miss one more game to remain eligible for end-of-season individual awards. NBA rules require a minimum of 65 games played out of the 82 regular season games to be eligible for distinctions such as the MVP title.

Jokic is also expected to play Sunday in the showdown against Oklahoma City, the Western Conference leader, which would definitively secure his eligibility for the awards. Before his injury, the Serbian was having an exceptional season with averages of 29.9 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 11.1 assists per game.

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Denver Hopes to Regain Pre-Injury Form

The return of their franchise player comes at the perfect time for the Nuggets, currently third in the Western Conference with a record of 32 wins and 16 losses. The Colorado team struggled during their leader’s absence, losing 6 games during this period, thus losing ground on the competition.

Denver hopes to regain the level displayed early in the season, when the team seemed unstoppable with Jokic at the helm. This return against the Clippers will mark the beginning of a crucial final sprint for the Nuggets, who are aiming for a top seed in the regular season to have the best playoff bracket possible. Without Aaron Gordon for at least a month, they are counting on their All-Star center to lead the charge toward another NBA title.

PLAYER PROFILE

Nikola JOKIC

Position(s): Center

Height: 211 cm

Age: 30 years old (02/19/1995)

Nationality:

Stats 2025-2026 / NBA

PTS

29.6

#3

REB

12.2

#1

AST

11

#1