David Adelman
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Denver Nuggets head coach David Adelman during a game against the Houston Rockets in November 2025
Over the past few weeks, injuries have hit the Denver Nuggets hard, stripping away depth and forcing constant adjustments, particularly in the frontcourt.
At the center of those concerns is Nikola Jokic, who remains sidelined with a knee injury. Cameron Johnson is also still out with a knee issue, while Christian Braun continues to recover from an ankle injury that dates back to November.
There may finally be some relief in sight, though. Jonas Valanciunas, a constant presence on Denver’s injury report for nearly three weeks and absent for the last 11 games, appears to be edging closer to a return.
Denver Nuggets Receive Frontcourt Boost
Ahead of Thursday’s matchup against the Washington Wizards, Valanciunas has been upgraded to questionable on the latest injury report.
While his availability remains uncertain, the upgrade marks a meaningful step forward for a Nuggets team in need of size and stability inside.
The 33-year-old initially stepped into the starting lineup following Jokic’s injury on December 29, with expectations that he would shoulder an expanded role. That plan was derailed just two days later, when he exited a game against the Toronto Raptors early with a right calf strain.
Denver subsequently announced Valanciunas would miss time and be re-evaluated after four weeks, placing his recovery on a similar timeline to Jokic’s.
On Tuesday, head coach David Adelman suggested the Lithuanian was slightly ahead in that process, while still urging caution.
“Jonas has looked good, but there is a timetable to that injury,” Adelman said, via The Denver Post. “He could redo that very easily. So he feels really good right now, but we have to get him through these tests.”
“I can’t get Jonas back and then run him into the ground. So we have to find a baseline, what’s appropriate for him when he comes back. Because immediately, he’ll be, most likely, our starting center.”
What Valanciunas’ Return Would Mean
Through 33 games this season, Valanciunas is averaging 8.5 points, 4.7 rebounds, and 1.2 assists while shooting 59.3% from the field in 13.3 minutes per night.
His return would be particularly timely. Denver was outrebounded 51-31 in Tuesday’s loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, highlighting how thin the frontcourt has become without its two primary centers.
Despite those absences, the Nuggets have managed to stay afloat. They are 7-5 since Jokic went down and 6-5 since Valanciunas joined him on the sidelines, often relying on smaller lineups to compensate.
Denver ranks 24th in the league in rebounds per game at 42.2, and since Jokic’s injury, that figure has dropped to a league-worst 37.3.
Even so, the Nuggets remain firmly in the playoff picture. They sit third in the Western Conference at 29-15, just one game behind the San Antonio Spurs in second.
Many expected Denver’s position to slide significantly amid the wave of injuries, but that collapse has yet to materialize.
Whether Valanciunas returns against Washington remains to be seen. If not, his next opportunity would come Friday night against the Milwaukee Bucks.
Either way, his upgrade from out to questionable signals that frontcourt help may finally be on the way, and that the Nuggets are inching closer to something resembling full health again.