Nikola Jokić didn’t waste a second reminding the league who he is.
After missing 16 games with a knee injury, the three-time MVP returned to the court Friday night and immediately looked like the engine that drives the Denver Nuggets. In just 25 minutes of action, Jokić poured in 31 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, leading the Nuggets to a 122-109 win over the Los Angeles Clippers.
Efficient? Absolutely.
Dominant? Without a doubt.
But it wasn’t just the stat line-it was the timing, the control, the way he reasserted himself when it mattered most. With Denver’s lead trimmed to four midway through the fourth quarter, Jokić checked back in and took over.
He scored eight points in under four minutes, including a classic one-legged floater that’s become his signature. Then came the behind-the-back dime to Peyton Watson, a reminder that Jokić’s vision is still on another level.
Just like that, the Nuggets were back in control.
Jokić shot 8-of-11 from the field and went 13-of-17 at the free-throw line. He turned the ball over just once while dishing out five assists.
That’s a masterclass in efficiency, especially for someone playing his first game since December 29. According to head coach David Adelman, Jokić was close to his minutes cap for the night-but he made every one of them count.
Denver went 10-6 during Jokić’s absence, a stretch that could’ve easily gone sideways considering the team’s injury situation. The Nuggets have been battered this season.
Outside of Jamal Murray, every starter has missed significant time. Aaron Gordon, who’s only played in 23 games, is now sidelined again with a hamstring injury and won’t be reevaluated for another four to six weeks.
Cam Johnson and Christian Braun have also been in and out of the lineup, logging just 28 and 14 games respectively.
And yet, Denver has kept pace in a loaded Western Conference. At 33-16, they sit just behind the San Antonio Spurs in the standings, five games back of the Oklahoma City Thunder. That’s no small feat.
The credit doesn’t just go to the coaching staff-it goes to the young players who’ve stepped up in the spotlight. Peyton Watson and rookie Jalen Pickett have provided meaningful minutes, while Jamal Murray continues to play at an All-Star level. It’s been a collective effort, and Jokić took time postgame to recognize it.
“A lot of players stepped up. A lot of big moments, big nights,” he told Altitude Sports. “I was proud of them.”
Now the Nuggets have their MVP back, and the timing couldn’t be better. With the roster still not at full strength, Jokić’s return changes the equation in the West. He’s not just back-he’s back to doing what he does best: anchoring the offense, elevating everyone around him, and making the game look effortless.
Denver weathered the storm. Now, with Jokić leading the charge again, they’re ready to make their push.