Nuggets star Nikola Jokic, who has been sidelined since December 29 with a hyperextended left knee and a bone bruise, is expected to be reevaluated in about a week, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Tuesday on NBA Today.
While Denver had previously been optimistic about a return before the end of the month, that now appears unlikely, though Charania said Jokic has suffered no setbacks and is making “great progress” while entering the “ramp-up phase of his return-to-play process.”
There was concern in Denver about maintaining a playoff position without Jokic, particularly after backup center Jonas Valanciunas went down with a calf strain. Last season, the Nuggets went 4-8 in games the player missed.
This year, however, they’ve gone 9-5 without him and own a 31-15 record, tied for second in the Western Conference.
Because of that success and the team’s focus on Jokic’s long-term health, there’s little urgency to push him back quickly. The main drawback to a cautious approach is award eligibility.
If the big man doesn’t return by Sunday, Feb. 1 against Oklahoma City, he would fall short of the 65-game minimum for end-of-season honors.
Still, Charania indicated that both Jokic and the Nuggets are willing to accept that trade-off to ensure he’s fully healthy.
Before the injury, Jokic was playing at an MVP level, averaging a career-high 29.6 points while leading the NBA with 12.2 rebounds and 11.0 assists per game, along with elite shooting splits.
Nuggets star Nikola Jokic will undergo a reevaluation in about a week: https://t.co/i3tvDQgC2z
— Hoops Rumors (@HoopsRumors) January 28, 2026
