Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic made a strong comeback on Friday, scoring 31 points, grabbing 12 rebounds, providing five assists, and recording three steals in just 24 minutes. This performance helped the Nuggets secure a 13-point victory over the Clippers. Notably, Jokic is now the first player in NBA history to achieve at least 30 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists in under 25 minutes, as reported by the Denver Post.
Jokic had missed the last 16 games due to a knee injury.
“You miss playing. You miss the pressure. You miss the adrenaline. Just being out there with the guys and trying to win a game,” Jokic said. “It’s a collective that I missed. This hasn’t happened for me probably in my career. So it was an interesting feeling.”
Being sidelined for so long was frustrating for the three-time MVP.
“Watching just a game, it was taking so much of my energy,” he shared. “I was yelling at the TV when I stayed back in Denver, and then, like, in the games I was attending, I was so emotionally empty after the games. And then I decided the last two games, I’m just gonna try to chill and watch the game.”
Despite Jokic’s return, Denver is still missing some key players. Aaron Gordon is out with a hamstring strain while Christian Braun (ankle) and Cameron Johnson (knee) are also recovering from injuries. Nonetheless, Jokic’s return is a significant boost for one of the top teams in the Western Conference.
Jokic mentioned that he wasn’t concerned about his knee during the game.
“I was not scared to use it,” he stated. “I was not thinking about it while I’m running, while I’m playing, so I think that’s a good sign that I’m ready.”