Star center Nikola Jokic is expected to return to the Denver Nuggets lineup Friday following a knee injury at the end of 2025, according to NBA insiders.
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – JANUARY 23: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets warms up before a game against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum on January 23, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement.
Patrick McDermott / Getty Images
Jokic will make his first appearance of 2026 against the Los Angeles Clippers at home in Denver. This comes after he last played for the Nuggets in a loss to the Miami Heat Dec. 29, 2025.
🚨 Nikola Jokic is back 🚨 https://t.co/Vwcj3Mr2XB
— Romi Bean (@Romi_Bean) January 30, 2026
Since exiting the lineup due to injury, the Nuggets have played good basketball, going 7-3 in their last 10 games.
The return of the three-time league MVP comes at an important moment in the regular season for the Nuggets, which just lost forward Aaron Gordon to long-term injury, expected out 4 to 6 weeks.
Jokic has been dominant when healthy and leads the team in key categories, which has included averaging 29.6 points per game.
More from CBS News