Nikola Jokic
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Nikola Jokic during a game against the Chicago Bulls in October 2025
The Denver Nuggets will have to wait longer for the return of three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokić, as the franchise continues to prioritize long-term health over short-term accolades.
According to ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania, Jokić is expected to miss at least another week as he progresses through the final stages of his recovery.
“I’m told the Denver Nuggets will re-evaluate Nikola Jokić in about a week,” Charania said Tuesday on NBA Today. “He is making great progress. He’s in the ramp-up phase of his return-to-play process, but this is a Nuggets team — as well as Nikola Jokić — that is weighing long-term health and success over the entire season.”
That approach, Charania noted, could come at the cost of individual honors.
Nikola Jokić Injury Update Could End MVP Eligibility
Jokić is set to miss his 15th consecutive game Tuesday night in a marquee matchup against the Eastern Conference-leading Detroit Pistons. Under league rules, players must appear in at least 65 games to be eligible for end-of-season awards. Missing three more games would render Jokić ineligible, effectively removing him from the MVP race.
Before the injury, Jokić was once again posting historic numbers, averaging 29.6 points, 12.2 rebounds, and a career-high 11.0 assists, placing him firmly among the league’s top MVP candidates.
However, Denver’s medical staff and front office have remained aligned in their decision to prioritize availability for the stretch run rather than rushing their centerpiece back onto the floor.
Nuggets Stay Afloat Without Jokić
Despite Jokić’s absence, Denver has avoided a major slide in the Western Conference standings.
The Nuggets are 9–5 without Jokić since he went down roughly a month ago, maintaining their third-place position in the West. A season ago, Denver struggled mightily without its star, going 4–8 during Jokić’s absence.
“This is a Nuggets team that has played so well without him, keeping their heads well above water,” Charania added. “They were third in the Western Conference when Jokic got hurt, and they remain third as he nears a return.”
Peyton Watson Emerges as Offensive Spark
One of the biggest reasons for Denver’s stability has been the emergence of Peyton Watson.
The 2022 first-round pick has taken on a significantly expanded role, averaging 23.1 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.8 assists over his last 13 games. During Denver’s 9–5 stretch without Jokic, Watson has been exceptionally efficient, shooting 45.7% from three-point range and 50.5% overall.
Watson missed Friday’s loss in Milwaukee with an ankle sprain but is on track to return Tuesday against Detroit, providing a much-needed boost to a short-handed rotation.
Aaron Gordon Suffers Hamstring Setback
Nuggets, Christian Braun, Aaron Gordon, Nuggets injury news
GettyAaron Gordon (R) and Christian Braun of the Denver Nuggets celebrate a basket.
Just as Jokic inches closer to a return, the Nuggets have been dealt another blow in the frontcourt.
Aaron Gordon, who had recently returned from a month-long absence due to a right hamstring strain, aggravated the same injury during the second quarter of Friday’s 102–100 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks and did not return.
The setback is particularly concerning given Gordon’s injury history. Earlier this season, he suffered a Grade 2 hamstring strain on Nov. 21 against Houston, sidelining him until Jan. 4. He also battled hamstring issues during last year’s postseason.
Nuggets Await Further Testing on Gordon
Head coach David Adelman said Gordon was “optimistic” that the injury is not as severe as his previous strain, though a definitive timeline will not be established until further testing is completed.
“I feel for him,” Adelman said after the loss. “He’s optimistic it’s not as bad as the last one. But we won’t know until we get it actually tested.”
Gordon will sit out Tuesday’s game against the Pistons, joining Jokić and Christian Braun on the sidelines. Braun, who returned briefly earlier this month from an ankle sprain, aggravated the injury after just three games.
Denver Playing the Long Game
With multiple rotation players sidelined, the Nuggets are navigating a delicate stretch. Still, team officials remain confident that patience will pay dividends as the season progresses.
For Denver, the calculus is clear: sacrificing individual awards and short-term availability is a worthwhile trade-off if it ensures Jokic is healthy when the games matter most.
As the Nuggets continue to manage injuries across their lineup, their ability to remain competitive without their MVP centerpiece may prove just as critical as Jokic’s eventual return.