Nikola Jokic could be ready to return from injury earlier than anticipated when the Denver Nuggets host the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday, Jan. 30, and it would be right in time to preserve his candidacy for a fourth MVP trophy this season.
Jokic was in the midst of another stellar campaign before suffering a hyperextended knee last month and has been ruled out with a bone bruise since then, according to the Nuggets’ injury report. But Jokic’s pregame activity has ramped up in recent days and even more urgency arrived regarding his status after Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon re-aggravated a hamstring injury. There are also plenty of stakes beyond Denver’s fortunes attached to Jokic’s progress.
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Jokic must meet the NBA’s 65-game threshold to be eligible to win MVP and missed his 16th game of the season when the Nuggets beat the Brooklyn Nets on Jan. 29. He can only miss one more game the rest of the regular season and still be eligible for the league’s end-of-season awards.
Here’s the latest injury update on Jokic ahead of the Nuggets’ game against the Clippers on Friday, Jan. 30:
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Is Nikola Jokic playing today?
Probably.
Jokic is officially listed as questionable on the Nuggets’ latest NBA injury report ahead of Friday’s game against the Clippers. But ESPN reported Jokic is planning to return to action when Denver hosts the Clippers.
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Nikola Jokic injury update
Jokic suffered a hyperextended knee that the team later diagnosed as a bone bruise in a Dec. 29 loss to the Miami Heat. The initial diagnosis called for the team to re-evaluate him in a month.
Jokic has been seen ramping up his on-court activity during recent pre-game warmups, appearing on the floor for light dribbling and shooting. He has worn a black pad over the injured knee during these sessions. Nuggets coach David Adelman said during a recent interview on Altitude Sports Radio that the team hoped he would be back before the NBA All-Star break begins on Feb. 14.
That timeline looks to have sped up and Jokic’s return is suddenly imminent.
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Nikola Jokic stats
Jokic is averaging 29.6 points, 12.2 rebounds and a career-high 11 assists over 32 games during the 2025-26 NBA regular season. He’s also shooting a career-best 43.5% from 3-point range.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Nikola Jokic injury update for Nuggets vs. Clippers NBA game
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