Nikola Jokic hasn’t suited up for the Nuggets since December 29, but the two-time MVP is inching closer to a return. According to reports, Jokic is progressing well in his recovery from a hyperextended left knee and bone bruise, and he’s expected to be reevaluated in about a week. That puts him on track for a potential February return, though it’s clear the Nuggets aren’t rushing anything.
And honestly, they don’t need to.
Despite losing their engine - and briefly their backup center, Jonas Valanciunas, to a calf strain - Denver hasn’t just stayed afloat. They’ve thrived.
The Nuggets have gone 9-5 in Jokic’s absence, pushing their record to 31-15, which has them tied for second in the Western Conference. That’s a far cry from last season, when they struggled to a 4-8 mark without their superstar big man.
This time around, the supporting cast has stepped up. The offense hasn’t completely stalled without Jokic orchestrating from the high post, and defensively, they’ve found ways to hold the line. It’s been a collective effort - one that’s allowed Denver to stay competitive while giving Jokic the time he needs to heal properly.
And make no mistake, the Nuggets are playing the long game here. There’s no urgency to fast-track Jokic’s return, and that’s by design. The team knows just how important he is to their postseason aspirations, and they’re not about to jeopardize that by rushing him back for a few extra regular-season games.
There is, however, one wrinkle: award eligibility. Under the NBA’s new 65-game minimum rule for end-of-season honors, Jokic is right up against the cutoff. If he doesn’t play by this Sunday’s matchup against Oklahoma City, he won’t hit the threshold - meaning he’d be ineligible for MVP and other major accolades, despite putting up numbers that absolutely belong in that conversation.
Before the injury, Jokic was doing Jokic things - and then some. He was averaging a career-high 29.6 points per game, leading the league with 12.2 rebounds and 11.0 assists, and shooting an absurd .605 from the field, .435 from three, and .853 from the line. That’s not just MVP-worthy - that’s historic efficiency from a center who continues to redefine what’s possible at his position.
But for Denver, the priority is clear: get Jokic fully healthy, awards be damned. They know what really matters is having him at full strength when the postseason lights come on. And if that means sacrificing a shot at individual hardware, so be it.
The good news? There’s no indication of a setback.
Jokic is in the “ramp-up phase” of his return-to-play process, which suggests he’s trending in the right direction. The Nuggets are being cautious, but they’re also confident.
And given how they’ve held it together without their cornerstone, they’ve earned the right to be patient.
When Jokic does return, the Nuggets will be getting back the centerpiece of their title hopes. Until then, they’re proving they can still compete - and maybe even grow stronger - while their MVP gets ready to make his next impact.