Nuggets insiders drop hint about Jokic’s return

Tick, tock. Tick, tock. Tick... the mental clock in the hive mind of the Denver Nuggets fanbase perpetually rings out like tinnitus, its noise a crease in the spacetime continuum, the fear as fundamental as life itself.

The Denver Nuggets are navigating a nervous stretch of time without their three-time NBA MVP, Nikola Jokic, after the centre suffered a left knee injury late in December. The clock is ticking for his return ahead of the upcoming playoffs.

Sources close to the team say the organisation remains hopeful that Jokic will return to action by the NBA All-Star break, offering a timeline that, while cautious, signals optimism for both fans and teammates.

Sources: Jokic “able to be aggressive” with recovery

The Athletic put it the following way: “the hope is that Jokić is back and playing by, at worst, the All-Star break.” They added that “he’s well underway in his rehabilitation and has been able to be aggressive with it.”

Jokic sustained a hyperextension of his left knee during a game against the Miami Heat on 29 December 2025, forcing him out of the contest and leaving the Nuggets without their best player; subsequent medical scans revealed that no major ligament damage occurred, avoiding the worst-case scenario and sparing Denver a long-term absence.

The team expects him to be re-evaluated after about four weeks of recovery and rehabilitation.

That timetable means Jokic would miss a significant portion of January. But if all goes well with his recuperation, returning before mid-February’s All-Star weekend remains the target.

Related stories

NBA

KD doesn’t hold back: “I don’t want to to sound too dramatic, but...”

NBA

Analysing Warriors' discipline issues

“We’re in survival mode,” Nuggets head coach David Adelman admitted to the media on Sunday. “I think winning in Toronto was huge for us. But I think the formula is to play hard and to play with great intention. We have to get games into the fourth quarter, and after that, it’s a crapshoot in this league. We have to get ourselves in position where the ball bounces our way. We have to play hard enough and long enough to where we can scratch out wins. Our goal is to wake up in February, and to be in striking distance.” Is that a hint at a Jokic return?

Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.