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The wait is finally over for the Mile High City: Nikola Jokic is planning to make his highly anticipated return to the court tonight.
According to ESPN's Shams Charania, the three-time MVP, who has been sidelined since December 29 with a knee injury, is set to rejoin the starting lineup tonight as the Denver Nuggets host the Los Angeles Clippers.
While Jokic is officially listed as questionable, all signs point to the superstar big man being back in business for tonight's game and Sunday's heavyweight showdown against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Jokic's month-long departure was sparked by a lower-body injury suffered in the first half of a loss to the Miami Heat in late December. Since then, the 30-year-old has missed 16 games, the longest stretch of his professional career.
The impact of Jokic's 16-game absence
To their credit, the Nuggets managed to hold the fort, going 10-6 in his absence. However, despite the winning record, the Denver offense lacked its signature fluid rhythm without the "do-it-all" center directing traffic.
His return is not just a boost for the standings; it is a necessity for his trophy case. By returning tonight, Jokic remains eligible for season awards, including a potential fourth MVP and another All-NBA selection.
Before the injury, Jokic was putting up numbers that seemed more like a video game than reality. In 32 outings this season, he has been the engine behind everything Denver does:
- Scoring: 29.6 PPG (5th in the NBA)
- Rebounding: 12.2 RPG
- Playmaking: 11.0 APG (Career High)
- Efficiency: 60.5% FG / 43.5% 3PT (Career High)
- Triple-Doubles: 16 (Leads the NBA)
Nikola is back in business
The timing of Jokic's return couldn't be better for a Nuggets team looking to solidify its playoff positioning in a crowded Western Conference. With speculation regarding his injury status now put to rest, the focus shifts to how quickly the 6-foot-11 star can regain his MVP-level conditioning.
With the Clippers in town tonight and the top-seeded Thunder looming on Sunday, Denver's favorite son is back just in time for the biggest weekend of the regular season so far.