DENVER, CO - JANUARY 30: Nikola Jokic #15 of the Denver Nuggets looks to pass the ball during the game against the LA Clippers on January 30, 2026 at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2026 NBAE

Jokic guides Nuggets past Clippers in return from injury

3 months ago

Garrett Ellwood / National Basketball Association / Getty

Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic showed little signs of rust in returning from a month-long absence during Friday's 122-109 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers.

Jokic recorded 31 points, 12 rebounds, and five assists in 25 minutes as the Nuggets snapped the Clippers' three-game winning streak. He shot 8-of-11 from the field and 13-of-17 from the charity stripe, before exiting with two minutes left in the fourth quarter to raucous applause from the Denver crowd.

31 points. 12 boards. 5 assists.

Joker receives a standing ovation from the crowd as his night concludes 👏

Quite the performance in his return to the court! pic.twitter.com/AfMpcUiQlP
— NBA (@NBA) January 31, 2026

Peyton Watson and Jamal Murray chipped in 21 and 20 points respectively, while Tim Hardaway Jr. had 22 points off the bench and moved into the 20th spot on the league's all-time 3-pointers made list.

The Nuggets move to 33-16 on the season and now sit five games back of the Oklahoma City Thunder for top spot in the West.

James Harden led the visitors with 25 points and nine assists. Los Angeles had won 16 of its previous 19 contests, the best win percentage in the league during that span.

Jokic had been sidelined since Dec. 29 with a hyperextended left knee, which he sustained in a game versus the Miami Heat.

"I was not scared to use it," Jokic said postgame, according to The Associated Press. "I was not thinking about it while I was running and while I was playing. I think that’s a good sign I’m ready."

Jokic had been producing another MVP-caliber season prior to his injury. He was fifth in the league in scoring at 29.6 points per game on 60.5% shooting from the field entering Friday's contest. He's also averaging a career-high 11.0 assists and 12.2 rebounds to go along with 16 triple-doubles.

Jokic sat out 16 games while recovering from his injury, marking the most contests he's missed in any season of his career. The Nuggets posted a 10-6 record in his absence.

Denver is managing injuries to several key contributors. Aaron Gordon is reportedly expected to miss four-to-six weeks after re-aggravating a hamstring strain, while Christian Braun (ankle) and Cameron Johnson (knee) have missed significant time dating back to November.