When Will Nikola Jokic Return From Calf Injury For Denver Nuggets?

Missing the last three games for the Denver Nuggets due to a calf injury, here are the latest updates on when back-to-back MVP Nikola Jokic may return to the floor.

The Denver Nuggets have high championship aspirations this season. However, they are not the top-tier team they are without Nikola Jokic on the floor.

When Jokic plays, the Nuggets have won over 70 percent of their games this season and once again, the Nuggets All-Star is very much in the MVP conversation late in the year.

Coming down the stretch though, Jokic has sat on the sideline the last three games due to a lingering calf issue that the team has not revealed much about.

Losing their first two games to the Phoenix Suns and New Orleans Pelicans without Jokic on the floor, the Nuggets were able to pick up a victory on Sunday night against the Golden State Warriors. However, Nikola Jokic’s injury still remains a concern for Nuggets fans.

Michael Malone says Nikola Jokic’s calf (injury) — he’s questionable with calf tightness — “has been brewing.” He played through it against the 76ers and didn’t do a lot at practice yesterday. Denver will “err on the side of caution” tonight.

— Harrison Wind (@HarrisonWind) March 31, 2023

Recently, head coach Michael Malone spoke about his star’s injury and why the team has held him out.

“It’s just us being smart about it,” Malone said. “The worst-case scenario is he plays and it creates a much bigger issue where he’s out for an extended period of time.”

Playing and worsening his injury is definitely something the Nuggets cannot have with Nikola Jokic, as they have no chance of competing for a title with him off the floor.

Obviously Jokic playing increases his chances of winning another MVP award, but to the team and even Jokic himself, the only thing that matters is competing for a chance to go to the NBA Finals.

“I love the fact we’ve been in the first place since the middle of December, but this is all geared towards the postseason and how we perform,” Malone continued. “I know when the season is over, that’s how we’re going to be judged.”

So when will Nikola Jokic be back for the Nuggets?

A lot depends on how his calf is feeling day-to-day and how much he is willing to do in practices and shootarounds without pain or tightness.

With three of their four remaining games being on the road, it is possible that Nikola Jokic may be held out until the team’s final game of the regular season in Denver against the Sacramento Kings.

Even then, Jokic may only play a quarter or two and not his full dose of minutes since the Nuggets and coach Michael Malone are being cognizant of the big picture.

It definitely appears as if Nikola Jokic will be ready to go for the start of the postseason, but it is unlikely he will play heavy minutes should he return for any of the team’s final four games of the regular season. 

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