A fearless and flawless return for Nikola Jokić
Good news for Nuggets : they could count on the return of Nikola Jokic for receiving from Clippers. Even after a month of absence, the three-time MVP hit hard from the start: 31 points on 8/11 shooting and 12 rebounds in 25 minutes to lead Denver to a 122-109 victory.
And when the visitors tried to hold on, the Serb closed the door himself: two free throws, an assist for Peyton Watson, and a winning shot against Ivica Zubac to seal the match’s fate.
“He adds a new dimension to what you want to do defensively because he can assist or score.”Tyronn Lue noted helplessly. “If you switch, he punishes smaller defenders. If you’re a big guy, then he takes you to threes.”
Subject to a minutes limit, David Adelman logically explained that he wanted to remain cautious with his star. Nikola Jokic, for his part, returned without question: after the meeting, “The Joker” indicated that he was able to participate in a few additional sequences in 5v5, but he preferred to return without waiting.
Back in full possession of your funds
To justify this choice, he explains that he felt no fear at the idea of straining his knee, which was a reassuring signal. And against the Clippers, he actually gave the impression that he was already in rhythm.
“I feel good, I have worked well to recover properly”assures Nikola Jokić. “I’ve been here for eleven years and I work with the same people, so I trust them completely.”
Barring any setbacks, the pivot should be fit to welcome the Thunder this week. During his recovery, he missed 16 games: therefore, he can only afford one more absence before falling below the eligibility threshold for the MVP trophy…
Asked about this issue, the Serb rejected the idea that this rule had an effect on his return. On the other hand, he did not fail to welcome the collective response of his group, the author of 10 wins for 6 defeats without him.
“Guys who didn’t play a lot stepped up and were important”, underscores Nikola Jokić. “They had great nights and came away with important wins. That’s part of their learning process: being ready to play at the highest level when your number is called.”
https://vvv.youtube.com/vatch?v=szS3H8dkZtU
| Nikola Jokic | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saison | The team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | LF | Off | Def | That | Pd | Ft | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2015-16 | IT | 80 | 21:40 | 51.2 | 33.3 | 81.1 | 2.3 | 4.7 | 7.0 | 2.4 | 2.6 | 1.0 | 1.3 | 0.6 | 10.0 |
| 2016-17 | IT | 73 | 28:25 | 57.8 | 32.4 | 82.5 | 2.9 | 6.9 | 9.8 | 4.9 | 2.9 | 0.8 | 2.3 | 0.8 | 16.7 |
| 2017-18 | IT | 75 | 32:34 | 49.9 | 39.6 | 85.0 | 2.6 | 8.1 | 10.7 | 6.1 | 2.8 | 1.2 | 2.8 | 0.8 | 18.5 |
| 2018-19 | IT | 80 | 31:18 | 51.1 | 30.7 | 82.1 | 2.9 | 8.0 | 10.8 | 7.3 | 2.9 | 1.4 | 3.1 | 0.7 | 20.1 |
| 2019-20 | IT | 73 | 10:00 p.m | 52.8 | 31.4 | 81.7 | 2.3 | 7.5 | 9.7 | 7.0 | 3.0 | 1.2 | 3.1 | 0.6 | 19.9 |
| 2020-21 | IT | 72 | 34:33 | 56.6 | 38.8 | 86.8 | 2.8 | 8.0 | 10.8 | 8.3 | 2.7 | 1.3 | 3.1 | 0.7 | 26.4 |
| 2021-22 | IT | 74 | 33:28 | 58.3 | 33.7 | 81.0 | 2.8 | 11.0 | 13.8 | 7.9 | 2.6 | 1.5 | 3.8 | 0.9 | 27.1 |
| 2022-23 | IT | 69 | 33:40 | 63.2 | 38.3 | 82.2 | 2.4 | 9.4 | 11.8 | 9.8 | 2.5 | 1.3 | 3.6 | 0.7 | 24.5 |
| 2023-24 | IT | 79 | 34:39 | 58.3 | 35.9 | 81.7 | 2.8 | 9.5 | 12.4 | 9.0 | 2.5 | 1.4 | 3.0 | 0.9 | 26.4 |
| 2024-25 | IT | 70 | 36:44 | 57.6 | 41.7 | 80.0 | 2.9 | 9.9 | 12.7 | 10.2 | 2.3 | 1.8 | 3.3 | 0.6 | 29.6 |
| 2025-26 | IT | 32 | 34:34 | 60.5 | 43.5 | 85.3 | 3.0 | 9.1 | 12.2 | 11.0 | 2.8 | 1.4 | 3.5 | 0.8 | 29.6 |
How to read statistics? MJ = matches played; Min = Minute; Shots = Shots Successful / Shots Attempted; 3 points = 3 points / attempt 3 points; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive jump; Tot = Total number of jumps; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal mistakes; Int = intercepts; Bp = lost balls; Ct: Against; Points = Points.
2026-01-31 07:43:00
