Valanciunas nears Nuggets return, Jokic’s health unclear

The Denver Nuggets could have Jonas Valanciunas back as early as Wednesday, but it's still an unknown with Nikola Jokic

Jan 21, 2026, 2:08 PM

Watch: Nuggets trade Watson — Is the Championship window closing? | Stokley and Evans with Mark Schlereth | 9 mins

The Denver Nuggets could have Jonas Valanciunas back as early as Wednesday.

Nikola Jokic? It’s unknown.

Valanciunas has been upgraded to questionable on the team’s injury report ahead of Thursday’s game in Washington, D.C., signaling the 33-year-old center is close to returning from the right calf strain that has sidelined him since going down on New Year’s Eve. The move comes less than 24 hours after coach David Adelman outlined a cautious rehab plan that would see Valanciunas work through contact before getting cleared.

Apparently, Valanciunas passed those tests, which could mean Jokic’s return is coming too.

Adelman made it clear Tuesday night that Valanciunas will step directly into the starting lineup — confirmation that Jokic remains some time away from his return. But could Valanciunas’ starting stint last just this three-game road trip?

“I can’t get Jonas back and then run him into the ground,” Adelman said before Denver’s 115-107 loss to the Lakers at Ball Arena. “So we have to find a baseline, what’s appropriate for him when he comes back. Because immediately, he’ll be, most likely, our starting center.”

As for the three-time MVP’s recovery from a hyperextended left knee and bone bruise, Adelman said very little.

“It’s been a very up-and-down process, that’s the truth. Good days and bad days,” the coach said. “Nikola is the same way as Cam, kinda up-and-down.”

Jokic has been sidelined since Dec. 29, when he was injured in Miami. Tuesday marked the team’s 12th game without him. He was given an initial recovery timeline of at least four weeks, a window that closes ahead of next Tuesday’s return home against the Pistons. Still, Adelman’s comments suggest the Nuggets are not setting a return date.

Valanciunas suffered his calf strain four days after Jokic went down. Both players were given similar recovery timelines, but Valanciunas has clearly progressed faster. Adelman acknowledged as much Tuesday, even while urging caution.

“Jonas has looked good, but there is a timetable to that injury. He could redo that very easily,” Adelman said. “So he feels really good right now, but we have to get him through these tests before we feel comfortable with him (playing). There’s always risk, but (preferably) less risk, of him coming out there.”

Getting Valanciunas back would provide immediate relief for a frontcourt that has leaned heavily on Aaron Gordon, who just came back from an injury himself, as well as Zeke Nnaji, DaRon Holmes II and small-ball. Denver (29-14) has gone 7-5 without Jokic, but Tuesday’s blown 16-point lead to Luka Doncic and the Lakers underscored the limitations of the current roster, getting out-rebounded by 20.

The Nuggets announced a four-to-six-week recovery timeline for Cameron Johnson on Christmas. He is currently on track to return within that timeframe.

“Cam hasn’t gone through contact,” Adelman said. “He’s gone through some pace and some burst stuff, which is good to see.”

Christian Braun remains out with an ankle injury as he works back to full strength, after returning early from the pain.

For now, the Nuggets wait — potentially with reinforcements arriving Wednesday, but without their MVP for the foreseeable future.