Nikola Jokic Development Emerges After 8 Missed Games

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Reign Amurao | Last updated Jan 14, 2026 5:45 PM ET

The Denver Nuggets have done their best without All-Star center Nikola Jokic due to a hyperextended knee. He has missed eight straight games due to the setback, and the Nuggets have gone 5-3 without the three-time MVP. ESPN's Shams Charania gave an update on Wednesday regarding Jokic's potential return to the lineup.

According to initial injury reports, the Serbian big man was scheduled to be out for four weeks after suffering the setback in late December. Before Charania's latest update, Marc Stein of The Stein Line reported that an early February return could be the soonest return estimate for Jokic.

However, Charania revealed that things have gone positively well for the Nuggets star's road to recovery. The insider suggested that a comeback in late January would be feasible.

Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) © Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Charania discussed the latest update about Jokic on "NBA Today."

“A big development here, Nikola Jokic has resumed on-court workouts for Denver and he’s right on schedule — if not, a little bit ahead of schedule. Making his return to the lineup by the end of this month,” Charania said. “That’s about that four-week, initial early timetable that they had.

“The Nuggets are optimistic Jokic will be able to return by that late January mark… If he is able to make it back by late January, it would also give him a window to be eligible for the postseason awards.”

Denver's Nikola Jokic has resumed on-court workouts in rehab from knee injury -- the latest on the three-time MVP for NBA Today: pic.twitter.com/MqbWLcSazg
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) January 14, 2026

Jokic has appeared in 32 games, averaging 29.6 points, 12.2 rebounds and 11.0 assists. After suffering a hyperextended left knee, there were talks that Jokic could miss out on being eligible for the postseason NBA awards.

The NBA Awards haven't been ruled out for Jokic

The big man was one of the top candidates to win the regular-season MVP. Before the injury, the Nuggets star was at the top of the league's MVP Ladder. Even though the seven-time All-Star has been out for some time, he's still No. 1 in the latest MVP rankings.

His All-NBA qualification was also put into jeopardy after he injured his knee. Players are required to play at least 65 games to be eligible for the NBA awards, which include the All-NBA Teams.

Thanks to Jamal Murray, who has really stepped up, the Nuggets have competed effectively without their best player. Since Jokic's injury, Murray has played in five games, averaging 27.8 points, 5.8 rebounds and 11.0 assists. Forward Peyton Watson has also stepped his game up, averaging 24.6 points and 6.9 rebounds on 51.1% shooting through eight games.

Denver has remained competitive as the team waits for Jokic's return to the lineup.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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