Jokic Returns in MVP Form, Nets' Youth Movement Pays Off, and Wizards Bet on Young-Sarr Duo
Nuggets
Nikola Jokic didn’t ease back into action-he dropped the hammer.
After missing 16 games with a knee injury, the reigning MVP returned Friday night and looked like he hadn’t missed a beat. In just 24 minutes of work, Jokic poured in 31 points, grabbed 12 boards, dished out five assists, and added three steals for good measure as Denver rolled past the Clippers by 13.
And here’s the kicker: Jokic became the first player in NBA history to post at least 30 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 assists in under 25 minutes. That’s not just efficient-that’s historic.
But for Jokic, the toughest part wasn’t the physical rehab. It was being forced to watch from the sidelines.
“You miss playing. You miss the pressure.
You miss the adrenaline,” he said after the game. “This hasn’t happened for me probably in my career.
So it was an interesting feeling.”
He admitted that being a spectator took more out of him than expected. “I was yelling at the TV. I was so emotionally empty after the games,” he said.
With Aaron Gordon, Christian Braun, and Cameron Johnson still out, Denver’s rotation isn’t at full strength-but Jokic’s return brought instant stability. And most importantly, the knee held up.
“I was not scared to use it,” he said. “I think that’s a good sign.”
If Friday was any indication, Jokic is back-and the Nuggets just got a whole lot more dangerous.
Nets
Brooklyn needed a spark. Rookie Egor Demin gave them one.
Demin turned in a breakout performance Friday night in Utah, dropping 25 points and hauling in 10 rebounds for his first career double-double. The Nets snapped a seven-game skid, and the rookie did it in a familiar setting-he previously attended BYU, just down the road.
“It means a lot,” Demin said after the win. “We’ve got to be able to function without (Michael Porter Jr.), too.”
Brooklyn leaned into its youth movement, and the kids delivered. Alongside Demin, rookies Nolan Traore and Danny Wolf also got the starting nod. The trio brought energy, length, and a fresh look to a team that’s been searching for answers.
It’s early, but Friday’s game gave a glimpse of what the future might look like in Brooklyn. And for one night, the rebuild took a big step forward.
Wizards
Washington isn’t just rebuilding-they’re building with purpose.
The Wizards are betting that pairing Trae Young with second-year center Alex Sarr will fast-track Sarr’s development. According to Young, the potential is already there-it’s just about unlocking it.
“You see a lot of the potential that he has in his game,” Young said. “Being smart and athletic with that type of size is very uncommon in the league.”
Sarr, the No. 2 overall pick, has all the tools: size, mobility, and instincts. What he needs now is experience-and a veteran point guard who can bring the best out of him.
“I want to be part of the process,” Young said.
For a Wizards team focused on long-term growth, that process might be more important than the win-loss column right now. But if Young and Sarr can build chemistry, the foundation for something real could already be in place.