Nikola Jokic Returns in Historic Fashion, Lifts Nuggets Past Red-Hot Clippers
DENVER - Nikola Jokic didn’t just return to the floor Friday night - he made history. In his first game back since suffering a bone bruise in his left knee on December 29, the three-time MVP reminded the league exactly who he is. And he did it in just 25 minutes.
Jokic dropped 31 points, 12 rebounds, five assists and three steals in the Nuggets’ 122-109 win over the Los Angeles Clippers - a team that had been on a tear, winning 16 of their last 19. No player in NBA history has ever posted 30+ points, 10+ rebounds and 5+ assists in 25 minutes or fewer. Until now.
“I feel good out there,” Jokic said postgame. “I think I did a really good job with the recovery, really good to prepare myself.”
That recovery - from a hyperextended knee - kept him out for 16 games. But you wouldn’t have known it from the way he moved. He didn’t shy away from contact, didn’t hesitate to plant or pivot, and certainly didn’t play like someone testing out a recently injured joint.
“I was not scared to use it,” Jokic said. “I was not thinking about it while I was running, while I was playing. So, I think that’s a good sign that I’m ready.”
A Fourth-Quarter Takeover
Jokic’s brilliance peaked in a quick fourth-quarter burst. With the Nuggets clinging to a five-point lead, he rattled off 11 points in under four minutes, stretching the margin to 16 and effectively shutting the door on the Clippers. It was vintage Jokic - efficient, unbothered, and completely in control.
Denver now sits at 33-16, tied for second in the Western Conference with the Spurs. They’re 23-10 when Jokic plays - a stat that speaks volumes about his impact. The Nuggets didn’t collapse without him, going 10-6 during his absence, but there’s no question: with Jokic, they’re a different animal.
Supporting Cast Steps Up
Jamal Murray continued his All-Star-caliber campaign with 20 points and a team-high nine assists. He was a game-best plus-25, and his 4-of-5 shooting from deep kept the Clippers honest. Still, he acknowledged the difference Jokic makes - not just in stats, but in presence.
“He’s just a constant in every category, every stat,” Murray said. “He’s going to have his own pace.
He wanted me to keep playing my game and stay aggressive. But it’s a different feel when he’s out there.”
Peyton Watson, who’s blossomed into a real contributor during Jokic’s time off, poured in 21 points. Tim Hardaway Jr. added 22 off the bench before tweaking his ankle late - an injury the team will monitor moving forward.
Even with key rotation players still sidelined - Aaron Gordon (hamstring), Christian Braun (ankle), and Cameron Johnson (knee) - the Nuggets looked deep, connected, and confident. Head coach David Adelman emphasized what Jokic’s return meant for the flow of the offense.
“The impact of his passing, the split game - it just makes the court feel so big,” Adelman said. “Everybody was excited because they knew they were going to get the ball in a scoring area.”
Jokic’s Emotional Journey Back
For Jokic, this wasn’t just a physical comeback - it was emotional. The injury was unfamiliar territory. He’s never missed extended time in a season, and the uncertainty of the recovery process weighed on him.
“It was a new thing for me. I was getting nervous because I didn’t know the steps,” he said.
“You miss playing. You miss the pressure.
You miss the adrenaline, just being out there with the guys and trying to win a game. It’s a collective that I missed.”
Even watching from the bench took a toll.
“I was yelling at the TV,” Jokic admitted. “I was so emotionally empty after the games.
I’m happy for the guys. I think everybody doubted them - ‘Jamal can’t do this, Peyton is not that kind of player’ - everybody stepped up and showed they can play.”
Watson, now firmly in the mix as a dependable rotation piece, acknowledged how Jokic’s presence shifts the entire defensive equation.
“He’s the most unselfish superstar in all of basketball,” Watson said, before cracking a grin as Jokic walked by. “He ain’t that great - but that’s my man.”
What’s Next: Thunder Clash, All-Star Implications
Denver wraps up its four-game homestand on Sunday with a marquee matchup against the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder - their first meeting this season. It’s a measuring-stick game, and the timing couldn’t be better with Jokic back in rhythm.
That same day, the NBA will announce the All-Star reserves. All signs point to Jamal Murray earning his first selection - a long-overdue recognition for one of the league’s most dynamic guards.
“I’m anxious about it,” Watson said. “I know that he’s not.
He knows that he can only control so much. But I do really want that for him.
He truly deserves it. He should be an All-Star.”
Jokic echoed the sentiment.
“Since the season started, I think he is playing on a really high level,” Jokic said. “He showed that he can dominate the floor in any possible way… he was giving us that calmness and stability.”
For Murray, for Jokic, for this Nuggets team - the vibe is shifting. With their leader back and the West still wide open, Denver’s championship window remains firmly in view. And if Friday night was any indication, Jokic is ready to pick up right where he left off.