Nikola Jokic returned from a 16-game absence due to a bone bruise in his hyperextended left knee on Friday. The three-time MVP, who last played for the Denver Nuggets on Dec. 29, received the green light to suit up against the LA Clippers. Jokic’s appearance keeps alive his hope of earning a major award by season’s end.
Starting the 2023-24 NBA season, the league announced a minimum game rule for players to be eligible for major awards. Players must appear in 65 of 82 games to qualify. The Joker has a shot at his fourth MVP trophy and other major accolades if he misses just one more game for the rest of the season.
Nikola Jokic has been incredibly durable during his 11-year career in the NBA. The fewest number of games he has played in a season was 69, which occurred during the 2022-23 campaign.
Jokic is likely to hit a new career low in games this season, but if he misses just one more game, he would still qualify to win major awards.
Nikola Jokic leads hobbled Nuggets against red-hot Clippers
Nikola Jokic isn’t the only player who has missed time for the Denver Nuggets. The Mile High City team also missed the services of Aaron Gordon, Jonas Valanciunas, Christian Braun and Cam Johnson for long stretches. Against the Clippers, the Nuggets opened the game with Gordon, Johnson and Braun on the inactive list.
Jokic’s return will be a big boost against the hottest team in the NBA right now. LA is 16-3 heading into its showdown against the Nuggets.
The Joker impacted the game right off the bat. He led the Nuggets to a 35-27 lead after the first quarter. He had nine points, three rebounds and one assist in roughly six minutes of action.
The Nuggets are limiting Nikola Jokic’s minutes, but he has been a difference-maker every time he steps on the court. He had five points, three rebounds, two steals and one assist in the second quarter. The MVP contender’s play pushed Denver to a 59-50 halftime lead.
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights and trending stories in college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball and college baseball.
