Is Nikola Jokic Playing Tonight?
No, Nikola Jokic is not playing tonight vs the Los Angeles Lakers. The latest Nuggets and league injury reports list him as out with a left knee bone bruise, extending an absence that began after he hurt the knee late in December. @nuggets shared on X that Nikola Jokić is dealing with a left knee bone bruise ahead of tonight’s game against the Lakers.
Denver goes into this Tuesday matchup already shorthanded, with Jokic, Cam Johnson, Christian Braun and Jonas Valanciunas all sidelined, which means even more responsibility falls on Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon to keep the offense afloat against a Lakers team that still leans heavily on LeBron James.
There has been a bit of a split‑screen feeling for fans: one eye on the Lakers–Nuggets score, the other refreshing injury updates hoping for a surprise upgrade that never comes. For anyone used to seeing Jokic quietly pick apart defenses every night, watching Denver try to manufacture those same looks without him has been a reminder of just how much gravity he brings to every possession.
What Happened to Nikola Jokic?
Nikola Jokic is dealing with a hyperextended left knee and bone bruise suffered on December 29 in a game against the Miami Heat. He limped off, did not return for the second half, and subsequent imaging and evaluations confirmed the bone bruise that set up an initial four‑week timetable. The Nuggets and medical staff opted for a cautious approach no rushing, no shortcuts especially given how central he is to everything Denver does on both ends. @ShamsCharania shared on X that Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets has been diagnosed with a hyperextension in his left knee and will miss at least four weeks, but tests show his knee ligaments are intact.
Since then, the team has leaned on depth pieces and a more Murray‑centric offense, grinding out a surprisingly solid record even with their best player in street clothes. It has not always been pretty, but there have been stretches where role players stepped into bigger minutes and gave just enough to keep Denver near the top of the West, even as fans replay that Heat game in their heads and wince every time they see the knee tweak in slow motion.
When Will Nikola Jokic Return?
Nikola Jokic is expected to return in late January or early February if his recovery stays on schedule, but he is not back yet and remains out for this Lakers game. Reports from ESPN’s Shams Charania and other insiders say Jokic has resumed on‑court workouts and is “right on schedule, if not a little ahead,” with a reevaluation window set for around the four‑week mark from the December 29 injury.
That timeline lines up with a possible late‑January return, giving Denver a realistic chance to have him back before the stretch run while still protecting his long‑term health. In other words: not tonight vs the Lakers, probably not for at least another game or two, but the outlook has shifted from “please don’t be season‑ending” to “counting down days and circling dates on the calendar.”
Nikola Jokic Stats
Here is a quick, slightly informal snapshot of Jokic’s current season numbers before the injury the kind of stat line that explains why his absence feels so huge:
|
Stats |
2025–26 Regular Season |
|---|---|
|
Games played |
34 |
|
Points per game |
29.6 |
|
Rebounds per game |
12.2 |
|
Assists per game |
11.0 |
|
Field goal % |
60.5% |
|
Three‑point % |
43.5% |
Disclaimer
This Nikola Jokic injury and availability update is based on recent reports and publicly available information and may change quickly as new updates are released. Fans should always verify Jokic’s status, game availability, and medical updates through official team announcements, league injury reports, and trusted sports news sources before relying on it.
