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Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic will make his comeback from injury against the LA Clippers on Friday, as per ESPN's Shams Charania.
“Denver's Nikola Jokic – out since Dec. 29 with a knee injury – plans to return tonight against the Los Angeles Clippers at home, sources tell ESPN,” Charania tweeted. “Jokic now is in position to also play in Sunday's showdown vs. Oklahoma City in Denver and be eligible for the season awards.”
Jokic's long injury layoff
Jokic has been on the sidelines since December 29 with a hyperextended left knee in the 147-123 road defeat against the Miami Heat. The injury had a bone bruise, but scans showed no major ligament damage.
The Nuggets played well (10-6) in his absence (16 games) despite injuries to crucial players, Aaron Gordon, Cameron Johnson and Christian Braun.
Jokic missing most of January raised concerns about his eligibility for end-of-season awards (MVP/All-NBA), because of the league's 65-game criteria. His imminent comeback now keeps him within reach.
The Nuggets host the Clippers with tip-off set for 9 pm ET.
Nikola Jokic receives praise from Stan Van Gundy
Nikola Jokic earned appreciation from former coach and expert Stan Van Gundy for his performance this season. Van Gundy also made a GOAT statement regarding Jokic in an appearance on "The Zach Lowe Show."
"He might be the best player in the history of the NBA," Van Gundy said.
"Here's the thing," he continued. "My son says this all the time... I understand the thought that you compare players to how well they did in the era they played in, but the evolution of athletes is... we can probably say that the best 20 basketball players in history have probably played in the last 20 years."
Jokic has operated at his usual MVP-like level this season. He is averaging 29.6 points, 12.2 rebounds and 11.0 assists per game, while shooting 60.5 from the field and 44.5% from beyond the arc.
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