{"id":440024,"date":"2026-01-31T02:29:10","date_gmt":"2026-01-31T02:29:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/440024\/"},"modified":"2026-01-31T02:29:10","modified_gmt":"2026-01-31T02:29:10","slug":"denver-nuggets-eye-return-of-nikola-jokic-to-the-lineup-set-to-make-first-appearance-of-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/440024\/","title":{"rendered":"Denver Nuggets eye return of Nikola Jokic to the lineup, set to make first appearance of 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

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<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"Denver<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Patrick McDermott \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

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.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udea8 Nikola Jokic is back \ud83d\udea8 https:\/\/t.co\/Vwcj3Mr2XB<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Romi Bean (@Romi_Bean) January 30, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Since exiting the lineup due to injury, the Nuggets have played good basketball, going 7-3 in their last 10 games.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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<\/a> to long-term injury, expected out 4 to 6 weeks.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Jokic has been dominant when healthy and leads the team in key categories, which has included averaging 29.6 points per game.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\n More from CBS News\n <\/p>\n