The Denver Nuggets are preparing to reinsert Nikola Jokić into their lineup, and with it comes renewed clarity — and urgency — around one of the NBA’s most consequential storylines.
(Photo by Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
Jokić is expected to return after missing more than a month with a hyperextended left knee, a stretch that tested Denver’s depth and tightened the margins of the league’s awards race. While the absence reshaped weekly MVP discussions, it did not end them. Jokić remains eligible for season awards, including MVP and All-NBA, under the league’s 65-game requirement.
According to ESPN, Jokić plans to play Friday night at home and is also expected to be available Sunday, positioning him to remain above the eligibility threshold. The Nuggets went 10-6 during his absence, the longest injury-related layoff of his career, and stayed near the top of the Western Conference standings.
Nikola Jokić Faces Tight Window Under the 65-Game Rule
The stakes surrounding Jokić’s return extend well beyond the standings. The NBA’s updated awards criteria leave him with no room for error from here forward, a point underscored this week in NBA.com’s Kia MVP Ladder.
Jokić entered the season as the clear frontrunner and, statistically, still looks the part. He is averaging 29.6 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 11.0 assists per game — a season-long triple-double that places him among the league’s top three in scoring, rebounds, and assists. His 16 triple-doubles lead the NBA, and he is posting career highs in assists per game and 3-point percentage.
NIKOLA JOKIC
1st 55/15/15 game in NBA history
2nd 50/15/15 game in NBA history
Most points ever in OT (18)
3rd most points on Christmas
Reminder: He had 61/10/10 against the Wolves earlier this year https://t.co/JwD9WsO1Wc pic.twitter.com/kI8RgZFnrY
— Ballislife.com (@Ballislife) December 26, 2025
But availability has reshaped the conversation. With Jokić sidelined since Dec. 29, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander moved into the top spot on the MVP Ladder, while Luka Dončić climbed to No. 2. Jokić now sits third, not due to diminished production, but because every remaining game has become essential to maintaining eligibility.
NBA.com noted that Jokić has been participating in on-court workouts over the past two weeks, signaling a return that preserves his candidacy — for now. With several back-to-backs remaining on Denver’s schedule, the Nuggets must balance competitive urgency with long-term health.
Denver Nuggets Stay Steady Despite Injuries
The Nuggets’ ability to navigate Jokić’s absence has only added complexity to the decision-making. Jamal Murray carried a heavier offensive load, Peyton Watson expanded his role, and Denver continued to win despite missing its offensive hub.
Still, Jokić’s return immediately restores one of the league’s most efficient half-court engines. His presence stabilizes Denver’s offense, sharpens spacing, and reduces the nightly burden on the rotation as the schedule tightens.
For Jokić, the challenge now is structural rather than statistical. His production remains MVP-caliber. His health is improving. What remains is the calendar — and a narrow path that keeps one of the league’s defining players firmly in the race, with no margin left to spare.
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