JOKIĆ TO MISS ANOTHER GAME: Here’s How Much Longer He Can Stay Out and Remain in the MVP Race!

Nikola Jokić has been sidelined since the end of December last year and will certainly miss Denver’s game against Detroit in the night between Tuesday and Wednesday, starting at 3 a.m.

In its official injury report, Denver listed Jokić among the players who will definitely be absent for the derby against Detroit, the leading team in the Eastern Conference standings.

This will be the 15th consecutive game Jokić will miss due to hyperextension of his left knee, which he suffered in the game against Miami on December 30.

Injury Report ahead of tomorrow’s game against the Pistons:

PROBABLE:
Jonas Valančiūnas (Right Calf Strain)
Jamal Murray (Right Hamstring Inflammation, Left Hip Inflammation)
Peyton Watson (Right Ankle Strain, Left Ankle Sprain)

OUT:
Aaron Gordon (Right Hamstring Strain)… pic.twitter.com/u0YqCszaWN

— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) January 26, 2026

According to NBA rules, a player is allowed to miss a maximum of 17 games, meaning he must play at least 65 games in the regular season in order to remain eligible for individual awards.

Before the injury, Jokić was at the top of the list of favorites for the MVP award and was expected to battle for it with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, but the Serbian center’s position in that race is now under threat.

By the end of January, in addition to Detroit, Denver will also play against Brooklyn and the Los Angeles Clippers, meaning those are two more games Jokić is allowed to miss (provided he then plays all remaining games through the end of the season).

What works in the Serbian’s favor is that Denver’s game against Memphis on January 25 was postponed due to bad weather, and a new date has not yet been announced. This has given Jokić a bit more time to recover and attempt to return to the court, thus staying in the MVP race.

It is also good news that Denver will play its next three games (the two mentioned, followed by a derby against Oklahoma) at home, which should make Jokić’s return easier, especially since he has already been seen warming up and doing ball drills.

It is still not known when he will finally return to the court, but it seems that the countdown to that moment has begun.

Meanwhile, for the game against the Pistons, Denver will also be without Aaron Gordon, Christian Braun, and Cameron Johnson, while Jonas Valančiūnas, Jamal Murray, and Peyton Watson are expected to play despite having minor injury issues.

MORE TOPICS:

SERBIAN BISHOP GAVE A SPEECH BEFORE THE AMERICAN VICE PRESIDENT: Irinej opened the “March for Life” with a prayer, then gave the podium to J.D. Vance! (VIDEO, PHOTO)

THEY FELL IN LOVE WITH ORTHODOXY: Two daughters and a mother from Turkey were baptized in Trebinje, here are the names they took!

A SERB PLAYS THE GUITAR IN ROBBIE WILLIAMS’ NEW HIT: Nikola guest starred on his new album at the personal request of the world pop star! (VIDEO)

THEY ACCUSED HER OF BEING A “TROJAN HORSE”: Who is Dajana, the Croatian woman who helped Serbia win the gold!

THE COACH REVEALED WHAT KIND OF HELL THEY WENT THROUGH TO GET THE GOLD: Jakšić vomited during the warm-up before the final, Ćuk fell ill, everyone played the semi-final sick! (VIDEO)

Source: Nova.rs; Foto: AP