Three-time MVP Nikola Jokić missed the last 16 games for the Nuggets, who went 10-6 in his absence. Rich Storry / Getty Images
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokić is set to make his return from a knee injury Friday night against the Los Angeles Clippers, a team source told The Athletic.
The three-time NBA MVP has been sidelined since Dec. 29. When Jokić was sidelined, the expectation was that the Nuggers would fall in the Western Conference standings. However, Denver managed to go 10-6 in his absence and was third in the Western Conference at 32-16 entering Friday night.
The Jokić news comes after it was announced Thursday that another key piece would be out for an extended period. Forward Aaron Gordon will be sidelined for at least 4-6 weeks with a right hamstring strain, the team announced. Gordon had returned from a prior injury earlier this month after being out since November.
Jokić will provide a huge boost to Denver’s offense. The 30-year-old was off to a torrid start before being sidelined, averaging 29.6 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 11 assists in 32 games.
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