The Denver Nuggets were dealt some rough injury news on Friday, and it kept coming, as star big man Nikola Jokic is on the injury report ahead of Saturday’s game against the rival Minnesota Timberwolves.
Jokic is being bugged by the same right wrist issue that has bothered him for years. It is notable since the three-time MVP could miss Saturday’s game. But for the long term, how important is it? Well, he was one of the best 3-point shooters in the league last year despite the hindrance. Still, it has cost him games in the past, and some theorized it tanked his deep-range shooting percentage when he first picked up the injury back in November of 2021. Similarly, an arm injury to his elbow last year impacted his shooting for a time as well and cost him some action.
So yeah, he’s gone on to win two MVPs, a Finals MVP, and a ring with this right wrist pain. It actually even popped up during the 2023 title run, but the long rest the Denver Nuggets got between sweeping the Lakers and facing the Heat in the Finals allowed him time to recover. It came back into the fold in 2024, when, late in the season, his appearance on the court surprised the coaching staff, given the pain.
Jokic was icing his right wrist before the season during training camp and has still started the year on a torrid pace, averaging 28.8 points, 13.1 rebounds, 10.9 assists and 1.8 steals while shooting an incredibe 68.4% from the field and 41.7% from deep. He is yet to miss a game and is coming off a 55-point outing on Wednesday, where the Nuggets won but lost two starters to injury.
Christian Braun will miss the rest of the calendar year with an ankle sprain, suffered during that game. While Cameron Johnson will at least miss the matchup against Minny, hurt with a bicep issue.
The Nuggets finally got the Wolves monkey off their back, beating the team in the Twin Cities three weeks ago thanks to a big Jamal Murray game. The Nuggets are 9-2, and have won six-straight games. They’re back home against the Bulls on Monday.
