Nikola Jokic, the Denver Nuggets' star player and one of the leading MVP candidates, has been grappling with health concerns that have kept him off the court. Jokic has been playing monster minutes in March, averaging 39.8 minutes in eight games. He’s been fighting through a left ankle impingement and a right elbow contusion. Given all that, the team has decided to prioritize his health over chasing the No. Jokic is slated to return “at some point” during the Nuggets’ new five-game homestand.
The other Nuggets’ choice to hold Jokic out was during their recent losing stretch where they’d lost 6 games in a row. They’ve dropped two of their last three games in his absence. Jokic’s injury took a huge toll when he went down with a right elbow contusion. This became evident during the March 10 home loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Both injuries were listed on the injury report until recently, highlighting the ongoing challenges for the Nuggets as they navigate the season.
On Sunday, Jokic went through a pregame shooting routine, a positive sign in his recovery from his injury. Head Coach Michael Malone still doesn’t expect Jokic to play in Monday’s home game against the Chicago Bulls.
"It'd be great to have a chance to get our starting five some run together, because we haven't had a lot of opportunity to do that this season." – Michael Malone
It’s officially Jokic season and we’re loving it! He’s averaging a career-high 29.1 points and 10.3 assists per game, which really inflates his triple-double average. His recent impact on the court underscores just how badly the Nuggets need him back. So does the owner’s desire for a competitive edge, so that the team does what it takes to keep him healthy.
Leave a Reply