Nuggets’ Jokić Cleared for On-Court Work; Return Target Set for Late January
DENVER — The Denver Nuggets received a massive boost in their quest to maintain a top-three seed in the Western Conference this week. Three-time MVP Nikola Jokić, who has been sidelined since late December, has officially been cleared to resume on-court workouts.
While the “Joker” remains OUT for tonight’s matchup against the Washington Wizards, the latest update from the training staff indicates he is “right on schedule, if not a little bit ahead” of his recovery timeline.
The Road to Recovery
Jokić has not played since December 29, when he suffered a left knee hyperextension and a subsequent bone bruise during a game against the Miami Heat. The injury occurred in the second quarter when teammate Spencer Jones accidentally stepped on Jokić’s foot while his leg was planted.
Initial fears of structural damage were quickly dispelled after an MRI confirmed the ligaments were intact, though the team originally projected a minimum four-week absence for re-evaluation.
MVP Eligibility in the Balance
Beyond the Nuggets’ win-loss column, Jokić’s return date carries significant weight for his individual accolades. Under the NBA’s collective bargaining agreement, players must appear in at least 65 games to be eligible for postseason awards, including MVP and All-NBA honors.
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Games Missed: Tonight marks Jokić’s 10th consecutive missed game.
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The Threshold: If he returns by the end of January as currently projected, he will remain within the window to reach the 65-game requirement, keeping his bid for a fourth MVP trophy alive.
Treading Water Without the Star
In Jokić’s absence, the Nuggets have shown remarkable resilience, posting a 6-3 record over the last nine games. Jamal Murray has shouldered the scoring load, while young wings like Peyton Watson and Christian Braun have stepped into expanded roles.
“I know he’s antsy; he’s never been hurt like this,” Nuggets acting head coach David Adelman said earlier this week. “The worst part for him is just sitting around. He’s making great progress, and we’re optimistic for that late-January mark.”
The Nuggets will continue to monitor Jokić’s response to on-court activity over the next week before setting a definitive date for his season debut.
