Jokic pulled no punches postgame, making his frustration with the home crowd crystal clear. “I think those fans who booed us, they don’t need to come anymore,” Jokic told reporters. “Because if you guys follow us, you know that we never quit.”

While other sluggish contenders around the league—like Giannis Antetokounmpo and the Miami Heat—have responded to opening-week hiccups with public soul-searching, Jokic took a far more defiant stance. Rather than absorbing the criticism, the three-time MVP made it clear that fair-weather support has no place in Denver’s locker room culture.

On the court, Jokic and Jamal Murray powered the historic turnaround. Murray exploded for a game-high 42 points, while Jokic orchestrated the offense with a vintage 35-point, 15-rebound, 10-assist triple-double to fuel the second-half resurgence.

Why were the Nuggets booed on their home floor?

While the final score sparked a celebration, the first 24 minutes were an unmitigated disaster for Denver in its home opener. The Nuggets sleepwalked through the early stages, falling behind by as many as 26 points and entering halftime trailing 73-57. But just as the crowd began to sour, Denver flashed the championship resilience that has defined this core, systematically dismantling the deficit after the break.

Murray and Jokic ultimately capped off the miraculous 141-135 comeback victory, flipping the energy in the arena from restless frustration to bedlam by the time the final buzzer sounded.

Shaking off their opening-night loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder, the Nuggets showed that even when the rotation looks out of sync early, their superstar tandem remains capable of overcoming any deficit as the grueling 82-game campaign gets underway.

Key takeaways

• Nikola Jokic told fans who booed the Denver Nuggets to not come anymore.
• Jamal Murray scored 42 points while Nikola Jokic tallied a 35-point triple-double.
• The Denver Nuggets overcame a 26-point deficit to win 141-135 against New Orleans.

Doncic and Jokic are both expected to be on the floor at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles. Tonight’s matchup serves as a crucial final dress rehearsal for both star-studded rosters ahead of next week’s official opening night.

On one side, Doncic steps into his new role as the focal point in Los Angeles, taking the reins for a Lakers team entering a new era following LeBron James’ departure to the Philadelphia 76ers, a move James has already called a refreshing fresh start in Philly.

On the other side, Jokic enters another campaign as the anchor in Denver, tasked with leading a re-tooled Nuggets squad determined to bounce back and reclaim its spot atop the Western Conference after adding key contributors DeMar DeRozan and Cam Whitmore to the rotation.

Predicted lineups for tonight’s game between the Lakers and Nuggets

While the Lakers had a relatively quiet offseason on the transaction wire, the Nuggets are expected to showcase their newest additions alongside their returning core. Here are the predicted starting lineups for both teams:

• Los Angeles Lakers
  • PG: Luka Doncic
  • SG: Austin Reaves
  • SF: Quentin Grimes / Ziaire Williams
  • PF: Jake LaRavia / Rui Hachimura
  • C: Walker Kessler

• Denver Nuggets
  • PG: Jamal Murray
  • SG: Christian Braun
  • SF: Cameron Johnson
  • PF: Aaron Gordon
  • C: Nikola Jokic

With the stage set for an intriguing Western Conference preseason clash, as Doncic and Jokic are expected to be on the floor, the Lakers and Nuggets will tip off at 10:30 p.m. ET in Los Angeles.

Key takeaways

• Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic are expected to play in today’s preseason game.
• LeBron James left the Los Angeles Lakers to join the Philadelphia 76ers.
• The Denver Nuggets added DeMar DeRozan and Cam Whitmore to their roster.

The 22-year-old Wembanyama acknowledged that going up against the 31-year-old Jokic is always valuable, noting that he constantly learns from those challenges. “You always learn when you play against Jokic. You always catch some stuff and smarter moves on the court in those duels with him,” said the Defensive Player of the Year, as quoted in a report from BasketNews.

Serbia drew first blood with a 90-87 victory in Belgrade on Thursday. Jokic was masterful with a near triple-double of 20 points, nine rebounds, and eight assists. Wembanyama posted 10 points, four rebounds, and six turnovers.

France claims revenge

On Sunday, Les Bleus exacted revenge with a 91-90 win in Orleans, courtesy of a game-winner by Jaylen Hoard. Wembanyama recorded 18 points, five rebounds, and three blocks. Jokic remained dominant, tallying 34 points, 13 rebounds, and five assists.

The clash showcased a great duel, though Jokic’s experience still showed as he commanded the floor at 100%, while a hungry Wembanyama continues to commit mistakes he can refine over time.

Last season, Wembanyama led San Antonio to the NBA Finals for the first time since 2014, while Jokic and Denver were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Minnesota Timberwolves.

Western Conference rivalry

San Antonio and Denver remain among the top contenders in the Western Conference, with Wembanyama and Jokic at the forefront of their respective teams. The two centers will not meet in the NBA until March at Frost Bank Center.

In the meantime, Wembanyama will try to carry France in his first return to the national team since the 2024 Paris Olympics. “Our plan is simple. We are going to Paris in a day or two, continue with our preparations, and then we play the qualifier games,” said the two-time All-Star.

According to veteran NBA insider Marc Stein, the Nuggets are capturing league-wide attention due to the uncertainty surrounding Nikola Jokic’s long-term contractual situation. While Jokic remains eligible to sign a supermax contract extension, the three-time NBA MVP has once again chosen not to finalize a new deal during this offseason.

“There are a lot of eyeballs on the Denver Nuggets right now league-wide,” Stein revealed. “There is a lot of curiosity about where this team is going and, let’s face it, [Nikola] Jokic could have signed an extension for the second straight summer and did not. And even if that is 1,000% motivated by the finances involved, it’s still going to get other teams whispering, monitoring — you know, pick your adjective — but this is going to be a topic.”

The decision behind Jokic’s move

Jokic‘s decision is widely viewed as a financial one rather than an indication of dissatisfaction with the franchise. The 31-year-old is currently eligible to sign a four-year supermax extension worth approximately $278 million to $280 million.

However, ESPN’s Dave McMenamin reported earlier this offseason that Jokic plans to wait another year because doing so would make him eligible for a significantly larger contract. By delaying an extension, the Denver superstar could instead sign a five-year supermax deal worth approximately $359.5 million.

Stein believes that Jokic postponing his contract extension for a second consecutive summer is enough to fuel league-wide speculation. As Denver contends with an expensive roster, second apron restrictions, and a crucial NBA offseason following a first-round playoff elimination against the Minnesota Timberwolves, rival executives are likely to monitor the organization’s trajectory closely.

While there is no indication that Jokic is seeking to leave Denver, Stein’s comments highlight how any uncertainty surrounding one of the NBA’s biggest superstars will undoubtedly generate interest across the league.

In a masterclass of rim protection, Wembanyama swatted six blocks in the opening 14 minutes of Game 1. For context, Jokic recorded just five blocks across the entirety of his six-game postseason clash against Minnesota last year.

The French phenom didn’t stop there. Wembanyama finished the night with a career-high 12 blocks, a playoff performance that underscored exactly why he was the unanimous DPOY this season. However, despite his historic defensive stand, a motivated Timberwolves squad managed to weather the storm and steal a victory on the Spurs’ home floor.

San Antonio is now looking to bounce back after the 104-102 heartbreaker. With Anthony Edwards leading the charge and Julius Randle providing a physical secondary punch, the Wolves have officially put the NBA on notice that they are more than ready for the challenge of the second round.

Wembanyama: ‘I trust us’

Despite being the most dominant force on the floor, Wembanyama watched as his teammates struggled to find their rhythm from the perimeter. Following the loss, the Spurs‘ cornerstone was vocal about the adjustments needed to salvage the series in Game 2.

“We need to figure out what we can do better within the next 48 hours, and I have no doubt that we will. I trust us,” Wembanyama told reporters following the narrow defeat.

The atmosphere in San Antonio remains electric as fans wait to see if this young core can reclaim the franchise’s championship pedigree. Meanwhile, the Timberwolves have a newfound sense of belief, proving they can go toe-to-toe with giants like the Nuggets and Spurs alike.

Jokic made it clear that he did not regret taking part due to what he saw as a lack of respect. McDaniels broke the unwritten rule all NBA players follow. Jokic said McDaniels’ scoring toward the end of a one-sided game pushed him over the edge, he said, per ESPN. “I don’t regret it,” he said postgame. “Because he scored after everybody stopped playing.”

After the clash between McDaniels and Jokic, Julius Randle stepped in to defend his teammate, which intensified the situation and led to both Jokic and Randle being ejected from the floor with just one second remaining in the game.

Jokic and Randle fined

Nikola Jokic was fined $50,000, and Julius Randle received a $35,000 fine, on the other hand, for their roles in the Denver Nuggets-Minnesota Timberwolves Game 4 fight, the NBA announced Sunday.

Both teams were set to meet again in Denver for Game 5, with the Wolves holding a commanding 3-1 series lead and now one win away from eliminating the Nuggets. And it was better that there were no suspensions, so they could be seen in action with that edge already established.

In addition, the 3-1 situation was not favorable at all for the Nuggets; however, the Timberwolves would now deal with the absence of Anthony Edwards and Donte DiVincenzo, both due to injury.

Jokic praises Gobert

Nikola Jokic threw shade at the officials while praising Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert, as he had been one of the key factors behind the Serbian star’s inconsistent performance.

Jokic finished with 24 points on 8-22 shooting, 15 rebounds, nine assists, and three steals. On the other side, Gobert finished with 15 rebounds, two blocks, two steals, two assists, and four points, making his presence felt on the defensive end of the floor, holding Jokic to 36.3% shooting.

“Average…It’s a little bit of everything. You know, I’m not shooting the ball really well, especially from the three, and you know, Rudy is doing a good job with being physical, testing the officials, contesting shots,’’ Jokic said. “You know, he’s a really good defender. And not just him, they play very good … they’re big, long, tall, handsy, trippy, they’re bumping you, so… I think I answered your question.”

As confirmed by both teams, Wembanyama has been ruled out of the matchup, while Jokic is ready to go and will start for Denver. Despite both teams having already secured their postseason positioning, there was a high level of anticipation to see the two generational talents go head-to-head one last time before the playoffs.

Wembanyama officially logged his 65th game of the season recently, meeting the league’s minimum requirement to qualify for postseason awards. Conversely, Jokic needs just 15 minutes of floor time today to satisfy the 65-game rule, a move that would officially solidify his status as a primary challenger to Wembanyama in this year’s MVP race.

Leading into this Spurs-Nuggets clash, the MVP debate has reached a fever pitch. Wembanyama has garnered massive support from the NBA community for his historic rim protection and two-way dominance, while Jokic continues to operate at a masterful, high-efficiency level on a nightly basis.

What is on the line in the season finale?

While Wembanyama manages left ribcage soreness and Jokic has been dealing with right wrist injury management, there are significant statistical implications at stake—specifically for Jokic. Thus, it makes sense why the Serbian star is being sent out onto the court at Frost Bank Center.

If Jokic logs the necessary minutes to qualify for the MVP ballot, the game still holds weight for Denver’s seeding. The Nuggets are currently battling for the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference, locked in a tight race with the Los Angeles Lakers for that final home-court advantage spot.

On the other hand, the Spurs have put together a remarkable campaign, sitting at 62-19 and having already locked up the No. 2 seed in the West. Given the circumstances, both franchises weighed the benefit of momentum against the risk of injury as the NBA playoffs loom. In the end, Wembanyama won’t be put in harm’s way, whereas Jokic will play regardless.

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.

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.

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.