The Denver Nuggets are back at Ball Arena on Thursday night, hosting the Brooklyn Nets-but once again, they’ll be doing it shorthanded. The injury bug hasn’t just bitten this team-it’s taken a chunk out of the core rotation. And the biggest absence continues to be the reigning two-time MVP, Nikola Jokic.
It’s now been four weeks since Jokic went down with a knee injury, and while there was some optimism about a potential return this week, that’s been put on pause. Following a recent evaluation, Jokic is set to be re-checked in about a week, meaning he’s officially out for Thursday’s game and highly unlikely to suit up for Friday’s matchup against the Clippers.
That’s tough news for a Nuggets team staring down a brutal stretch. After the Clippers, Denver faces the Western Conference-leading Thunder on Sunday, followed by back-to-back showdowns with the East’s top dogs: the Pistons on Tuesday and the Knicks on Wednesday. Having Jokic back for any of those games would be massive-but right now, that feels more like hope than a plan.
Injury Report: Nuggets Missing Key Starters vs. Nets
Jokic isn’t the only key name missing from the lineup. Aaron Gordon is also sidelined after re-aggravating a hamstring injury.
The Nuggets announced Thursday afternoon that Gordon will be re-evaluated in 4-6 weeks, which essentially rules him out until at least early March. That’s a significant blow to Denver’s frontcourt depth and defensive versatility.
Christian Braun is still recovering from an ankle sprain and remains without a set return date. Cam Johnson, meanwhile, is getting close but won’t be available Thursday either.
The silver lining? Jamal Murray and Jonas Valanciunas are both listed as probable, which gives Denver at least a functional rotation to work with.
Murray’s presence, in particular, is crucial-he’s the engine that keeps the offense humming when Jokic is off the floor. And Valanciunas has been a stabilizing presence in the paint, bringing veteran savvy and rebounding grit.
MPJ Returns to Denver in a Different Uniform
While the Nets are dealing with their own share of injuries and are clearly in the midst of a rebuild, Thursday night’s game carries a little extra emotion thanks to the return of Michael Porter Jr.
This will be Porter Jr.’s first game back in Denver since being traded last summer. Drafted by the Nuggets in 2018, MPJ spent seven seasons with the franchise, playing a key role in their historic 2023 championship run. His scoring touch and perimeter shooting were integral to the team’s offensive identity.
But after last season, the Nuggets needed to retool-and moving off MPJ’s sizable contract was the clearest path to reshaping the roster. The trade has, so far, worked out for both sides.
Denver has built arguably the deepest and most balanced roster of the Jokic era, while Porter Jr. has found new life in Brooklyn. He’s played his way into All-Star consideration and significantly boosted his trade value-a potential win-win for both the player and the Nets.
Expect a warm reception from the Ball Arena crowd when MPJ is introduced. This is a fanbase that watched him grow up in a Nuggets uniform and saw him help deliver the franchise’s first title. There’s sure to be a tribute video, a few emotional moments, and maybe even a tear or two-before the ball tips and the action begins.
Looking Ahead
Thursday’s game may not feature the full-strength version of the Nuggets, but it’s still a meaningful one. It’s a chance to see how Denver’s depth holds up under pressure, especially with a stretch of heavyweight matchups looming. And for fans, it’s a moment to appreciate a familiar face in a different jersey-and to remember just how far this team has come.
With Jokic, Gordon, Braun, and Johnson all out, the Nuggets will need to lean on Murray, Valanciunas, and the rest of the supporting cast to hold the fort. The hope, of course, is that reinforcements are on the way. But for now, it’s about surviving the moment-and maybe, just maybe, stealing a win before the schedule gets real.