Denver Nuggets superstar center Nikola Jokic, who has been out since Dec. 29 due to a hyperextended left knee and bone bruise, will be reevaluated in about one week, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported on Tuesday’s episode of NBA Today.
Nikola Jokic To Remain Out Until February
Although Charania reported a few weeks ago that the Nuggets were optimistic about Jokic potentially returning by the end of the month, the three-time NBA MVP will remain sidelined until at least February.
This latest update means Jokic will no longer be eligible for NBA awards and honors, as the 6-foot-11 big man has already been sidelined for 14 games this season and players cannot miss more than 17 games in a campaign.
Shams: "The Denver Nuggets will reevaluate Nikola Jokic in about a week. He is making great progress, he's in the ramp up phase of his return to play process" pic.twitter.com/QKp0M2SzII
— Oh No He Didn't (@ohnohedidnt24) January 27, 2026
If Jokic doesn’t return to action by this Sunday, Feb. 1 against the Oklahoma City Thunder, he’ll fall short of the 65-game minimum requirement for end-of-season honors.
However, Jokic hasn’t experienced any setbacks on his path to recovery, and Charania said Jokic is making “great progress” and is in the “ramp-up phase of his return-to-play process.”
Nuggets Remain Above .500 Without Jokic
The Nuggets have also played exceptionally well without their star player, going 9-5 since Jokic suffered his knee injury on Dec. 29. Denver’s 31-15 record is tied for the second-best mark in the Western Conference.
Last season, the Nuggets went 4-8 in games Jokic missed.
Jokic entered the Dec. 30th slate of games ranked fifth in the NBA in scoring this season (29.6 points per game), while leading the league with averages of 12.2 rebounds and 11 assists per outing.
According to Basketball Reference, Jokic at the time led the league in total rebounds (389), defensive boards (292), assists (351), and true shooting percentage (71.3%). He ranked second in points (948) as well.
Per ESPN Stats & Information, the only other player in NBA history to average at least 12 rebounds and 11 assists throughout a full season was Oscar Robertson for the Cincinnati Royals in 1961-62.
The Nuggets continue their four-game homestand on Thursday against the Brooklyn Nets.
