Nikola Jokić Historic Triple-Double Fantasy Analysis

Jokic’s Subsequent Injury Update

Knee Hyperextension Timeline

Those fantasy playoff dreams may have been put on hold on Dec. 29  when Jokic hyperextended his left knee and suffered a bone bruise in a 147-123 loss to the Miami Heat, and was expected to miss roughly a month of playing time. 

Now, Jokic owners across fantasy leagues can breathe a sigh of relief, as his rehabilitation has gone well as the calendar turned to 2026. He has reportedly resumed on-court workouts two weeks after sustaining the knee injury, which puts him right on schedule to return by the end of January.

Rest-of-Season Outlook

Since Jokic is making great progress rehabbing his injured knee, his outlook for the rest of the season remains bright. Heck, if he doesn’t have any setbacks in his recovery timeline, he could still play enough games to be MVP-eligible. 

Stash or Drop Advice

Hopefully, fantasy owners didn’t fly off the handle and drop Jokic the second he got hurt, because he’s still considered a top-tier fantasy player. For those who didn’t unload him, Jokic should stay stashed until he steps back into his starting role.

And in the meantime, some of Jokic’s teammates make nice waiver wire pickups.

Nuggets Waiver Wire Gems

Peyton Watson Surge

The 6-foot-8 forward has played a bigger role since Jokic was sidelined in late December, and is averaging roughly 37 minutes per game in January. Watson is posting 23.9 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 3.5 assists this month, but it’s his uptick in blocks and steals (1.3/1.1) that have really spiked as he fills in for his injured teammates.

Jonas Valančiūnas Role

The Lithuanian center should be Jokic’s number one stand-in, but he is also currently sidelined with an injury (calf strain). When he’s healthy, his rebounding and scoring efficiency from the field make him a good deep league or streaming option as Jokic’s second in command. Managers should be on the lookout for his return.

Other Potential Adds

Zeke Nnaji is averaging around 24 minutes a game with so many bigs out of the lineup, and he has shot well from the free-throw line (85.2%). He had a 10-rebound game against the Milwaukee Bucks on Jan. 11 and is averaging 1.1 blocks and 1.0 steals this month. 

If you’re looking to add a scorer, Tim Hardaway Jr. is a streaming option. He isn’t consistent on defense, but adds scoring and is playing big minutes in January. Hardaway is deep league option, but still a player to keep in mind.

Broader Fantasy Implications

Category Impacts

Jokic is a fantasy goldmine when he’s healthy since he fulfills both offensive and defensive duties, making him a must in both points and categories leagues. So, naturally, all major categories take a hit when he’s sidelined, particularly Points, Rebounds, Assists, and Field Goal %. 

Trade and Streaming Tips

Even with Jokic injured, managers should only trade him if they are going to get an insane return. Unless another all-around fantasy asset like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is involved in a potential trade, you should 100% hold Jokic. 

Streaming can get a little fancy since Jokic fills both offensive and defensive needs, although teammates like Watson can help fill the void. If you have to look outside of Denver, Nikola Vucevic is playing big minutes for the Chicago Bulls and just had a big 35-point game with seven rebounds, five assists, and two blocks. 

Final Takeaways for Managers

Knee injury be damned, because Nikola Jokic is on track to return and follow up his historic 56-point Christmas game with major fantasy upside. He is a legendary fantasy asset, so managers should stash him on IR and use the opportunity to fill their bench with solid waiver wire pickups. 

People Also Ask

When is Nikola Jokic expected to return from his knee injury?
Jokic is on track to return by late January after resuming on-court workouts and progressing well in rehab.

Should I trade Nikola Jokic while he is injured?
No. Jokic remains a top-tier fantasy player and should only be traded for an elite, all-around star in return.

Who benefits most from Jokic being out in fantasy leagues?
Peyton Watson has seen the biggest fantasy boost, with increased minutes and defensive stats during Jokic’s absence.

Is Nikola Jokic still a fantasy MVP candidate this season?
Yes. If Jokic returns on schedule, he can still produce elite numbers and remain in MVP consideration.