While his status is up in the air, there is a strong possibility Jokic will take the floor as the Nuggets look to improve their seeding. The Nuggets currently hold the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference and are eyeing a win to stay ahead of the fourth-place Lakers, a move that could help them avoid a matchup with OKC until a potential Western Conference Finals showdown.

Coming off a 136-119 victory over the Grizzlies on Wednesday, the Nuggets enter tonight on an impressive 10-game winning streak. They have a prime opportunity to extend that run to 11, as the Thunder have already ruled out nearly their entire starting lineup for rest and injury management.

Nuggets’ injury report pile-up

Jokic isn’t the only key name on the report for Denver. Joining him with a questionable designation are:

• Jamal Murray (right shoulder impingement)
• Aaron Gordon (right hamstring injury management)
• Christian Braun (left ankle injury management / right hip flexor strain)
• Cameron Johnson (right ankle injury management)

Jokic’s MVP-caliber campaign

The Serbian star has been the driving force for Denver all season and is a frontrunner for the MVP award alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Victor Wembanyama.

Jokic is averaging 27.8 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 10.9 assists through 64 games. Notably, with just two games left in the season, he needs only one more appearance to officially meet the 65-game requirement for end-of-season awards.

Jamal Murray is also putting up career numbers this year. The Canadian guard is averaging career-highs in points (25.4), rebounds (4.4), and assists (7.1) through 75 games, solidifying one of the most productive seasons of his career.

Jamal Murray is listed on the injury report alongside Aaron Gordon, with both players designated as probable. Murray is dealing with a left ankle injury, while Gordon is managing a right hamstring injury ahead of the matchup.

The Nuggets edged the San Antonio Spurs 136-131 after erasing a 20-point deficit. That comeback allowed the Nuggets to arrive with strong momentum and confidence for tonight’s crucial matchup against the Lakers, who are expected to have all their stars available.

Will Jamal Murray play?

Everything indicates that Jamal Murray will play in tonight’s game despite being listed as probable. Murray has frequently appeared on the injury report recently, yet he continues to perform at a high level. The All-Star guard scored 39 points as six Nuggets reached double figures, including Nikola Jokic with 31 points.

Jokic also recorded another triple-double with 20 rebounds and 12 assists, along with three steals and two blocks. Murray’s production has surged in recent games, as he is averaging 28.6 points on 49.6 percent shooting, including 46.7 percent from three-point range across the last seven NBA games.

Will Aaron Gordon play?

Gordon appears to be in a similar situation to Murray, as all indications suggest he will be available for the game. Gordon has appeared in only three games this month, with the Nuggets carefully easing their starting forward back into the rotation.

Gordon’s knee issues have limited him to just 26 games this season, although his right hamstring continues to improve as the Nuggets prepare for what they hope will be a deep playoff run. Gordon missed Game 7 of the Nuggets’ Western Conference semifinal series against the Oklahoma City Thunder. After missing Thursday’s game against the Spurs, he is expected to be cleared for Saturday’s matchup.

With Thursday’s comeback victory against the Spurs, the Nuggets improved to 41-26, the fifth-best record in the Western Conference standings, just half a game behind the Lakers. A win against Los Angeles would move the Nuggets into fourth place in the standings.

However, the French star’s availability will be a final decision as the team evaluates his condition before tip-off. He was listed on the latest NBA injury report with right ankle soreness.

The Spurs officially ruled him out, meaning he is not going to play against the Nuggets. The timing of the injury report has raised attention because he is coming off a dominant stretch.

Will Victor Wembanyama play tonight?

Victor Wembanyama is ruled out for tonight’s game between the San Antonio Spurs and Denver Nuggets, and his playing status is now confirmed before the tip-off.

He appeared on the latest injury report with a sore right ankle, meaning the Spurs will assess him during pregame warmups before making a final decision on his availability, according to Sports Illustrated and Yahoo Sports.

The ankle issue surfaced after his dominant performance in San Antonio’s recent win, where he scored 39 points and pulled down 11 rebounds, showing his importance to the team’s success.

While the soreness isn’t believed to be severe, they are taking a cautious approach to protect their star as the team jockeys for position in the Western Conference standings.

When will Victor Wembanyama return?

Because Wembanyama is out, there’s no set return timeline — he couldn’t play tonight because evaluation for his ankle feels probably bad during pregame checks.

He has faced various minor injuries this season, including knee and calf issues earlier in the year, but he’s consistently returned quickly and been a major contributor for San Antonio when healthy.

The team is expected to continue monitoring his status leading up to future games, with medical staff and coaches making decisions based on his response to practice and game‑day preparations.

According to the latest official NBA injury report, the Nuggets have listed Nikola Jokic as questionable with a left ankle sprain for tonight’s game in Chicago. Denver desperately need their three-time MVP to help snap a disappointing three-game losing streak.

It is undoubtedly a major concern for the Nuggets to have their franchise cornerstone back on the injury report, especially considering Jokic previously missed 16 games in January due to a knee injury.

However, fans may find some relief in the fact that the current issue is localized to his ankle, suggesting he has moved past the knee complications that sidelined him for a month.

Since returning to action on January 30, Jokic has appeared in every game. While the team is just 1-3 in that span, his presence is vital as Denver looks to correct its course and regain momentum in the Western Conference standings.

Both teams dealing with significant absences

The Nuggets are hoping Jokic can suit up, as they are already missing several key rotation players. Aaron Gordon (right hamstring strain), Peyton Watson (right hamstring strain), Spencer Jones (concussion protocol), and Tamar Bates (left foot surgery) have all been ruled out.

Additionally, Christian Braun (left ankle sprain) and Cameron Johnson (right knee bone bruise) are also listed as questionable. If these players are unable to go, the Nuggets will be heavily reliant on Jokic to shoulder the load and secure a much-needed road victory.

On the other side, the Bulls also enter this matchup severely shorthanded. Guards Josh Giddey and Tre Jones remain out with left hamstring strains, creating a significant backcourt void for the Chicago franchise. Like Denver, the Bulls are also struggling, currently riding their own three-game losing streak.

According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, the Warriors are actively exploring the possibility of adding guard Lonzo Ball if he clears waivers, signaling another calculated swing from a team attempting to stabilize its campaign.

“As the Warriors are working to convert two-way guard Pat Spencer to a roster spot, Golden State also has its sights set on adding Lonzo Ball via the buyout market, sources say.”

There is competition for his services. According to Brett Siegel, the Denver Nuggets have also emerged as candidates, creating a potential race between contenders looking to reinforce their backcourts.

The situation surrounding Lonzo Ball and the Warriors

Ball’s numbers this season did not jump off the page. In 20.8 minutes per game with the Cleveland Cavaliers, he averaged 4.6 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.9 assists while shooting 30.1% from the field and 27.2% from three-point range. Those struggles were real and reflected a player still trying to regain rhythm after years of injuries, yet Golden State’s interest appeared to be more about fit, defense and ball movement.

The Warriors currently hold just over $3.4 million in second-apron space, which gives them the flexibility to sign Ball if he agrees to a minimum-style buyout. From a roster standpoint, he would not be asked to carry the offense; instead, he would be expected to defend, push the pace in short bursts, and operate as a connective passer alongside high-usage stars.

Sitting eighth in the West with a 28–24 record, the Warriors have hovered in the play-in range throughout the season. They rank 15th in offensive rating and seventh in defensive rating, an imbalance that helps explain their approach. Ball would not fully solve the offensive inconsistency, but he could preserve structure and lighten the burden on the primary ball handlers when Stephen Curry is off the floor.

Nikola Jokic made a somewhat surprising return from injury in the Denver Nuggets’ 122–109 win over the Los Angeles Clippers at Ball Arena on Friday. Jokic had missed 16 games with a left knee injury, which kept him just within the NBA’s MVP eligibility threshold. However, the three-time MVP made it clear postgame that individual awards were far from his priority. When asked about the requirement, Jokic responded bluntly, saying, “Not even a little bit.”

Under NBA rules, players must appear in at least 65 games to be eligible for end-of-season awards. That means Jokic can afford to miss only one more game. Based on his comments, it does not appear that Jokic is willing to push his body simply to meet an awards benchmark.

This rule has drawn criticism from analysts and fans alike, who argue that it places unnecessary pressure on elite players to return prematurely from injury. Even if Jokic were to produce one of the best seasons of his career statistically, surpassing the allowed number of missed games would automatically remove him from MVP consideration, potentially increasing the risk of long-term injury.

Jokic’s performance in his return

Despite expectations of rust, Jokic looked dominant against the Clippers. The Serbian superstar had hyperextended his left knee against the Miami Heat on December 29, 2025, keeping him sidelined for more than a month. Yet, his impact was immediate and unmistakable.

Jokic finished the night with 31 points, 12 rebounds, five assists, and three steals in just 25 minutes of action. Although he played under a minute restriction, the Nuggets center controlled the game with his usual efficiency and composure, reminding everyone why Denver remained competitive even while awaiting his return.

The Jokic scare that worried everyone

Initial concern around Jokic’s injury was severe. When he went down in pain against the Heat, fears quickly emerged that he may have torn his ACL and would miss the remainder of the season. Jamal Murray, Denver’s starting guard, admitted he feared the worst, and Jokic later addressed whether he shared that concern.

Jokic is now averaging 29.7 points, 12.2 rebounds, 10.8 assists, 1.4 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game during the 2025–26 NBA season. While many expected the Nuggets to struggle without him, several teammates stepped up in his absence. Still, Jokic’s return reaffirmed that Denver’s ceiling ultimately depends on the presence of its generational superstar.

Nikola Jokic appears close to returning from injury sooner than originally expected. According to Shams Charania, Jokic is trending toward playing tonight, although he is updated for will start and have minutes per coach Adelman. His potential return would mark the end of a short absence caused by a knee issue.

On Jamal Murray’s side, he is currently listed as probable. Team officials are expected to provide definitive confirmation closer to tip-off. Murray recently posted 27 points, four rebounds, six assists, and two steals in 33 minutes during Denver’s 107-103 win over the Brooklyn Nets, reinforcing his importance to the Nuggets’ offensive rhythm.

What happened to Jokic?

Jokic was in the middle of another stellar campaign before suffering a hyperextended knee last month, which the team later diagnosed as a bone bruise, according to the Nuggets’ official injury report. His pregame workload has increased in recent days, and the urgency around his return has grown after forward Aaron Gordon re-aggravated a hamstring injury, leaving Denver thinner in the frontcourt rotation.

The Serbian center originally sustained the injury during a Dec. 29 loss to the Miami Heat, and the initial evaluation projected a month-long recovery window. In recent warmups, Jokic has been seen performing light dribbling and shooting drills while wearing a protective black knee pad. Nuggets head coach David Adelman noted in a radio interview that the organization hoped Jokic would return before the NBA All-Star break.

Jokic’s performance this season

Jokic must reach the NBA’s 65-game threshold to remain eligible for major individual awards, including Most Valuable Player. He missed his 16th game of the season in Denver’s win over Brooklyn, meaning his margin for further absences is extremely slim for the remainder of the regular season.

Despite the injury setback, Jokic is averaging 29.6 points, 12.2 rebounds, and a career-high 11.0 assists across 32 appearances in the 2025-26 regular season. He is also shooting a career-best 43.5 percent from three-point range, numbers that once again place him firmly in the MVP conversation and underline why his availability is crucial for the Nuggets’ championship aspirations.

After logging just 19 minutes against the Miami Heat in Monday night’s NBA regular-season matchup, Jokic was forced to exit the floor with a knee injury, sparking concerns about potential ligament damage that could impact his availability for the rest of the season.

Prior to his departure, Jokic was putting on a stellar performance, amassing 21 points, 8 assists, and 5 rebounds. Ultimately, the Nuggets fell to the Heat, but the primary focus shifted to updates regarding Jokic’s injury status.

Amidst growing anxiety among the fanbase, early reports from the team suggest optimistic news. Jokic’s condition is not as severe as initially feared, and the injury is not considered season-ending.

How long will Jokic be out?

Nikola Jokic is expected to be sidelined for at least four weeks, according to Charania on X (formerly known as Twitter). “Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic has been diagnosed with a hyperextension in his left knee and will miss at least four weeks,” Charania reported, offering an update on the Nuggets’ pivotal player’s condition.

Now, Jokic will enter in a phase that he will need to take a rest and recover as soon as he can, in order to help Denver during the rest of the regular season, as the Nuggets want to make it to the playoffs next year.

With this situation going on, Jamal Murray is set to be one of the players that step up for the team in the upcoming games, until Jokic comes back to the floor, at least to the end of January.

Jokic finished the night with a staggering 56 points, 16 rebounds, and 15 assists, making him the first player in NBA history to record a 55-15-15 game. His scoring output also marked the third-highest total in NBA Christmas Day history, trailing only Bernard King’s 60 points in 1984 and Wilt Chamberlain’s 59 in 1961.

With this performance, the Joker joined an elite fraternity—including King, Chamberlain, Rick Barry, and Luka Doncic—as the only players to ever reach the 50-point plateau on Christmas Day.

Jokic’s dominance spanned the entire contest, but his takeover in the extra period was unprecedented. Of his 56 points, 18 came in the five-minute overtime, breaking the previous NBA record of 17 points in an overtime period set by Stephen Curry in 2016.

This brilliant triple-double was the second of Jokic’s career on December 25th, with the first coming in 2022. He now joins Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson and Russell Westbrook as the only players in NBA history with multiple triple-doubles on Christmas Day.

The Nuggets needed every bit of Jokic’s heroics, as the team was severely short-handed due to injuries to Cameron Johnson, Aaron Gordon, and Christian Braun. Jokic found a formidable running mate in Jamal Murray, who fueled the win with 35 points and 10 assists.

Jokic climbs all-time Christmas scoring ranks

The scoring surge allowed the Serbian center to leapfrog several legends on the all-time Christmas Day scoring list. Jokic has now cracked the top 20 with 195 career points on the holiday, moving past icons such as Michael Jordan, Jerry West, and Wilt Chamberlain.

Perhaps most impressive is the efficiency of his climb: Jokic has reached these heights in just six career Christmas Day appearances. For comparison, the all-time leader LeBron James sits atop the list with 525 points across 20 appearances.

According to the latest official NBA injury report, the Nuggets have listed Nikola Jokic as probable (left wrist sprain) and Jamal Murray as questionable (right ankle sprain) for tonight’s contest in Indiana.

A positive signal for Denver fans is that both players were also included on the injury report for the previous contest against the Mavericks, where they ultimately played significant minutes.

Up to this point, Jokic has not missed any games this season and remains the undisputed leader of the Nuggets. The Serbian is averaging 29 points on 62.1% shooting from the field and 43.8% from deep, and he leads the league with 12.8 rebounds and 11.1 assists per game.

On Murray’s side, he has only missed one game this season and is a vital piece of David Adelman’s team. The Canadian guard is averaging a career-high 23.3 points along with 6.7 assists, 4.5 rebounds, and 1.1 steals across 19 games, while he is shooting 48.3% from the floor and 41.5% from deep.

Complete injury report for both teams

The Nuggets hope to have both stars in the lineup as they are dealing with several injuries: Christian Braun (left ankle sprain), Aaron Gordon (right hamstring strain), and Julian Strawther (lower back injury management) are all ruled out for the game against the Pacers.

However, the Pacers are dealing with more serious roster depletion. They still cannot count on star Tyrese Haliburton, who is recovering from his Achilles tendon injury.

Pacers players ruled out for tonight include: Quenton Jackson (right hamstring strain), Kam Jones (lower back), Aaron Nesmith (left knee sprain), and Obi Toppin (right foot). Additionally, Johnny Furphy (left ankle sprain) is listed as questionable.

Both stars appear on the injury report with minor setbacks, but early expectations suggest they could suit up — though final confirmation will only come during pregame warmups. Two-time MVP Nikola Jokic is listed as probable with a left wrist sprain. The Nuggets star has played through similar discomfort in the past, and unless he suffers a late setback, he is expected to be available.

For Dallas, Anthony Davis (left calf injury management) is also listed as probable. The veteran big has been closely monitored throughout the NBA season, yet signs point toward him being active tonight, pending the team’s final medical review.

Seeing both players on the court would undoubtedly elevate the spectacle, especially considering the battle that could develop in the paint — a clash of giants defined by strength, intelligence, skill, and elite versatility on both sides.

Jokic’s dominant numbers

Jokic enters the matchup averaging 28.9 points, 12.4 rebounds and 10.9 assists, keeping himself firmly in the MVP conversation yet again. His duel with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for the league’s top individual honor could resurface throughout the season, and even stars such as LeBron James already recognize Jokic as the most dominant player in the league.

Davis’ return not as positive

Davis returned from a 14-game absence due to a calf injury on Friday night against the Los Angeles Lakers, but he sat out the second night of the back-to-back for the Mavericks against the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday.

In his return vs the Lakers, Davis played just under 29 minutes, scoring 12 points on 6-of-10 shooting while adding five rebounds, five assists and three blocks. The star forward has only appeared in six games this season, averaging 19.3 points, 9.3 rebounds and 2.7 assists while shooting 52.9 percent from the field.