Nikola Jokic unlikely to play primetime Nuggets game against Clippers

If there was a perfect time to rest Nikola Jokic it's on Friday for the Denver Nuggets against the Los Angeles Clippers

Jan 13, 2023, 12:14 PM Updated: Jan 15, 2023, 8:59 pm

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The Denver Nuggets are in the middle of a home-heavy stretch that sees them play nine games out of 10 at Ball Arena. Friday is their lone road game, and it’s out in Los Angeles against the Clippers, who they pounded by 31 last week. Meanwhile, back-to-back MVP and a contender for the trophy again this year, Nikola Jokic, has played in 25 straight games.

So if there was a perfect time to rest the superstar big, it’s on Friday. And that’s exactly what the Denver Nuggets are likely to do, according to EPSN’s Adrian Wojnarowski. Jokic is on the Nuggets’ injury report with a right wrist injury management, an issue that’s been bugging him for about two years now. Some of theorized it’s why his three-point shooting percentage went from 37% pre-All-Star break last season to 21% after.

Jokic is shooting 38% from deep this year on 24.9 points per game, adding in 11 rebounds and 9.7 assists for the best-in-the-west Nuggets. After winning the last two MVPs, Jokic is seeking a repeat and has become more efficient while seeing a tiny drop in his points as he’s become an even better playmaker this season.

Jokic has had better targets with the returns of Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. while Aaron Gordon has found a new level. Murray, MPJ, Gordon and cast will have to get it done against the middling Clippers on ESPN tonight.

In their game last week, the Nuggets beat LA so bad that the Clippers rested their stars for the entire second-half. Those are the same stars that blew a 3-1 series lead to the Nuggets in the second round of the 2020 NBA Playoffs.

Sitting a game likely won’t hurt Jokic’s MVP chances much, he’s right in line or above the amount of games other NBA stars have played. Jokic played a NBA-best 72 games in his first COVID-shortened MVP season and followed it up with 74 the following season. Friday’s game marks the start of the Nuggets’ second-half and Jokic is on pace to play in 76 games, only having missed time this season due to a bout with COVID.

The Nuggets are back home on Sunday to host the Magic.

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