Nikola Jokic’s return to the floor for the Denver Nuggets is long overdue. The Serbian superstar has stayed away from basketball action since Dec 29 after hyperextending his knee against the Miami Heat. However, there’s great news for Nuggets fans.

Hours before the Nuggets vs. Clippers matchup, ESPN’s Shams Charania tweeted that Jokic “plans to return tonight against the Los Angeles Clippers at home…Jokic now is in position to also play in Sunday’s showdown vs. Oklahoma City in Denver and be eligible for the season awards.”

Well, the 30-year-old was supposedly going to come back in the Nuggets vs. Pistons on Tuesday, Jan 27. However, despite the 4-week recovery window, the medical team urged an extension. Therefore, to avoid aggravating the injury, the team kept Jokic sidelined. Subsequently, he sat out against the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday.

Now, the Denver Nuggets have held the fort without Nikola Jokic. At present, they are No.3 in the Western Conference with a 32-16 record. Since Joker’s absence, they have a 10-6 record, which itself proves that the team showed up when their biggest force left the floor.

Most importantly, if Jokic returns, then he would still have a chance to continue in the MVP race. Well, he has already missed 16 games and has one more game to miss before he loses the 65-game eligibility. Charania also reported that the 30-year-old “has been chomping at the bit to play.” He is feeling the urgency to return within the eligibility window for the 4th MVP title.

News served to you like never before!

Prefer us on Google, To get latest news on feed

Prefer Us on Google

Nikola Jokic has appeared in 32 games so far this season, including his recent 19-minute outing against the Clippers, which counts as a full game toward the NBA’s 65-game eligibility threshold for awards like MVP and All-NBA.

The NBA’s 65-game eligibility rule has dramatically reshaped this season’s major award races, with several top players falling out of contention due to injury-related absences.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, who was on an MVP-caliber pace before his injuries, has now missed the 65-game threshold and is no longer eligible, despite his strong early-season performance.

Similarly, Jokic, once a frontrunner, has seen his MVP hopes wane after suffering a season-ending injury, dropping him in rankings like the Kia MVP Ladder. With Jokic out of the picture, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has surged to the top of the leaderboard, while Luka Doncic holds the No. 2 spot.

The rule’s rigidity has drawn criticism, particularly from players like Joel Embiid, who missed the 2023 MVP award despite a strong start – his attempts to return were derailed by reaggravated injuries.

With the Nuggets facing 34 games remaining, he can miss just one more to stay eligible, giving Denver flexibility to manage his load carefully through the stretch run.

Meanwhile, he posted 29.6 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 11.0 assists across 32 games, shooting 60.5 percent overall and 43.5 percent from deep before the injury. However, all the troubles haven’t ended for the Nuggets. The team will still show up shorthanded at Ball Arena on Friday.

Nuggets injury report beyond Nikola Jokic

The Denver Nuggets continue to tread through the NBA with a heavy injury roster. The team has ruled out forward Cam Johnson, who is recovering from a knee injury. However, head coach David Adelman is hopeful that his star will return before the All-Star break.

Meanwhile, an ankle injury will keep Christian Braun sidelined. However, Aaron Gordon’s extended time on the bench could be a concern for the Nuggets. The team has ruled him out with a hamstring strain and faces a four-to-six-week reevaluation window. An injury that has hampered the forward since last year’s playoffs.

On the other hand, the LA Clippers face a crowded medical chart as well. Kawhi Leonard is managing knee soreness and remains questionable for the Denver matchup. Meanwhile, Bogdan Bogdanovic sits out with a hamstring issue after a G League stint.

The Clippers sidelined Derrick Jones Jr due to a knee issue while he remains on assignment. TyTy Washington Jr nurses a hamstring injury and will miss Sunday. Finally, Bradley Beal is out for the year following left hip surgery.

Predicted starting 5:

Thus, there is a possibility that Nikola Jokic will show up on the floor for the Denver Nuggets. But at the same time, the team will be cautious about his injury and progress. Meanwhile, the West vs. West drama is ready to unfurl before the fans!