Nikola Jokic scored 31 points and grabbed 12 rebounds in his return from a 16-game knee injury absence, powering the Denver Nuggets to a 122-109 win over the Los Angeles Clippers. The performance strengthens Denver's Western Conference position and sets up a pivotal matchup with the short-handed Oklahoma City Thunder on February 1.
After missing 16 games due to a left knee bone bruise sustained on December 29, 2025, against the Miami Heat, three-time MVP Nikola Jokic returned on January 31, 2026, playing 25 restricted minutes. He shot 8-of-11 from the field and 13-of-17 from the free-throw line, helping the Nuggets improve to 33-16 and remain second in the West.
Despite absences of Aaron Gordon (hamstring), Cam Johnson, and Christian Braun, Denver showed depth: Peyton Watson added 21 points (averaging 22.1 during Jokic's absence), and Tim Hardaway Jr. scored 22 off the bench. The team went 10-6 without Jokic, preserving their competitiveness.
Jokic, now at 33 games played, stays on track for the 65-game award eligibility threshold. His season stats: 29.7 points, 12.2 rebounds, 10.8 assists, 60.8% FG, 43.9% 3PT.
Next, the Nuggets host the Thunder on February 1 for NBA's Basketball Night in America on NBC. OKC leads the West by 4.5 games but enters short-handed (no Jalen Williams, Ajay Mitchell, Alex Caruso), relying on Shai Gilgeous-Alexander amid a 3-4 skid. Jamal Murray earned his first All-Star nod pre-game. This pits recent MVPs in a key divisional battle.
