According to an ESPN insider, the Nuggets are targeting the end of the month for the Serbian star’s return.
The Denver Nuggets continue to see promising progress in Nikola Jokic's recovery.
Denver Nuggets / Schedule
As such, ESPN's Shams Charania revealed that the Nuggets are aiming for a potential return of their franchise superstar in late January.
"Nikola Jokic is rehabbing around the clock, and it’s really been every few hours," the NBA insider said. "He’s been weightlifting, getting cardio in on the bike, and icing that knee, and I’m told he has started spot shooting on the court. The Nuggets won’t be rushing Nikola Jokic back, as he’s still weeks away from a potential return.
"You’re looking at the end of this month as a window for that. They still need to allow him to build some movement—sprinting, running, and cutting—and that’s going to take place over the coming weeks."
Jokic went down in the Nuggets' late December loss against the Miami Heat. MRI revealed that he had evaded structural damage, but he sustained a left knee hyperextension and a bone bruise.
The Nuggets announced that he would be out for at least a month.
It was an unfortunate development for Jokic, who has been on a historic season this 2025-26 while averaging 29.6 points, 12.2 boards and 11.0 assists. There were doubts for the Nuggets about whether they could survive without the Serbian sensation.
Yet in the end, Denver is performing fairly without Jokic. The team went 2-2 on their last four games since the center was sidelined, capped off by an inspiring 125-124 Monday overtime win over the Philadelphia 76ers.
As Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun are now fully healthy to help Jamal Murray, the Nuggets couldn't be more optimistic about what lies ahead as Jokic continues his recovery behind the scenes.
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