On Friday night, the Denver Nuggets will host the LA Clippers in Colorado.
The Nuggets come into the night after defeating the Brooklyn Nets (on Thursday) by a score of 107-103.
NBA Fans React To Nikola Jokić News Before Clippers-Nuggets Game
Before the game, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported an update on three-time MVP Nikola Jokić.
Via Charania: “Denver’s Nikola Jokic – out since Dec. 29 with a knee injury – plans to return tonight against the Los Angeles Clippers at home, sources tell ESPN. Jokic now is in position to also play in Sunday’s showdown vs. Oklahoma City in Denver and be eligible for the season awards.”
Denver’s Nikola Jokic – out since Dec. 29 with a knee injury – plans to return tonight against the Los Angeles Clippers at home, sources tell ESPN. Jokic now is in position to also play in Sunday’s showdown vs. Oklahoma City in Denver and be eligible for the season awards. pic.twitter.com/2Y6bncli50
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 30, 2026
Many fans reacted to the news on social media:
@RajatJain: “Jokic is back tonight. 🃏 32 games played. 17 games missed. 33 games remaining. He needs to go 33/33 to stay eligible for his 4th MVP. The ultimate iron man test begins. 😤 #Nuggets #MVP”
@baltimore465: “The legend is back.”
@purpose_ : “Denver just got a huge boost for the playoffs and award races. Excited to see him on the court tonight”
@lineorbust: “If Jokic is back tonight, the real tell is minutes. If he is 30 plus, Denver is treating Sunday like a statement game, not a tune up.”
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Jokić is currently averaging 29.6 points, 12.2 rebounds, 11.0 assists and 1.4 steals per contest while shooting 60.5% from the field and 43.5% from three-point range in 32 games.
Via Law Murray of The Athletic: “The Denver Nuggets report that Nikola Jokic is questionable for tonight vs the LA Clippers. It would be his first game since December 29 after missing 16 games. Jokic can miss one more game before he is ineligible for postseason awards. Jamal Murray, Jonas Valanciunas probable.”
The Denver Nuggets report that Nikola Jokic is questionable for tonight vs the LA Clippers.
It would be his first game since December 29 after missing 16 games. Jokic can miss one more game before he is ineligible for postseason awards.
Jamal Murray, Jonas Valanciunas probable.
— Law Murray 🐐 (@LawMurrayTheNU) January 30, 2026
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The Nuggets are still the third seed in the Western Conference with a 32-16 record in 48 games.
They have gone 7-3 over their last ten games (and are 13-9 at home).
Following LA, the Nuggets will play their next game on Sunday when they host the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Injury Report ahead of tonight’s game against the Clippers:
PROBABLE:
Jonas Valančiūnas (Right Calf Strain)
Jamal Murray (Right Hamstring Inflammation, Left Hip Inflammation)QUESTIONABLE:
Nikola Jokić (Left Knee Bone Bruise)OUT:
Aaron Gordon (Right Hamstring Strain)… pic.twitter.com/lJgOfwMjJC— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) January 30, 2026
As for the Clippers, they enter play as the 10th seed in the Western Conference with a 22-24 record in 46 games.
They have gone 9-1 over their last ten games (and are in the middle of a three-game winning streak).
Following the Nuggets, the Clippers will play their next game on Sunday when they visit Devin Booker and the Phoenix Suns.
