The three-time MVP made his comeback after missing 16 games with a knee injury.
The Denver Nuggets have been dealing with injuries all season long, but they finally got some good news on Friday night when their superstar center made his return to the court.
Nikola Jokic was back in the starting lineup for the first time since suffering a hyperextended left knee on December 29, and he showed right away that he was ready to go by leading Denver to a 122-109 win over the Los Angeles Clippers.
Even better, the win came on the second night of a back-to-back after they beat the Brooklyn Nets 107-103 on Thursday night, which makes Jokic's performance even more impressive for a team that is now 33-16 on the season.
Jokic Speaks on His Return
After the game, Jokic was asked if it was harder to know when he would be ready to come back since he has not dealt with many injuries throughout his career.
The three-time MVP gave a simple but telling answer that showed his mindset heading into the contest.
"I was not scared of it. I was not scared to use it or thinking about it when I was running or playing. So, I think that's a good sign that I'm ready."
In just 25 minutes of action while on a minutes restriction, Jokic put up 31 points and 12 rebounds to go along with five assists and three steals.
He shot an efficient 8-of-11 from the field and 2-of-3 from three-point range while also knocking down 13 of his 17 free throw attempts.
The Serbian big man looked like he had not missed a beat even though he had been sidelined for over a month with a bone bruise.
The Clippers (22-25) had been playing well before this game, having won nine of their previous ten contests, but they had no answer for Jokic once he returned to the floor.
Team Effort Around Jokic
Coach David Adelman wanted to make sure everyone kept their expectations in check before the game, saying that having the best player in the world back is a major thing but also noting that Jokic needs time to get comfortable again.
Even with those words of caution, the Nuggets got plenty of help from the supporting cast as Peyton Watson chipped in 21 points and Tim Hardaway Jr. came off the bench to score 22.
Jamal Murray has been carrying the load while Jokic was out and continues to put together an All-Star caliber season.
The point guard spoke about how it feels different when Jokic is on the court with him after the win.
"He's just a constant in every category, every stat," Murray said. "He was going at his own pace. He wanted me to keep playing my game and stay aggressive, but it's a different feel when he's out there."
What's Next for Denver
The timing of Jokic's return is also important because it keeps him on track to be eligible for end-of-season awards like MVP and All-NBA since players need to appear in at least 65 games to qualify.
The Nuggets are still dealing with injuries to Aaron Gordon, Christian Braun, and Cameron Johnson, so having Jokic back is huge for them moving forward.
Denver will look to keep things rolling when they host the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday in what should be a great matchup between two of the best teams in the Western Conference.