Nikola Jokic injury update (Image via NBA) Nikola Jokic will not play tonight when the Denver Nuggets face the Charlotte Hornets on January 18, 2026. The game takes place at Ball Arena, where Denver has been strong all season. Charlotte arrives with a losing record and has struggled on the road.The Nuggets enter the matchup at 29-13 and sit third in the Western Conference. The Hornets are 15-27 and continue to look for stability. Even with Denver in good form, the focus remains on the absence of their starting center and how the team continues to manage without him.
Why is Nikola Jokic OUT vs Charlotte Hornets? (January 18, 2026)
Nikola Jokic has not played since December 29, 2025, after suffering a hyperextended left knee with a bone bruise in a loss to Miami. At the time, the team announced a four-week re-evaluation period, making it clear he would miss several games.Since then, Jokic has returned to on-court workouts and is moving well. Reports suggest his recovery is on track, and possibly slightly ahead of schedule. Even so, the official NBA injury report lists him as out for this game. This will be his 10th straight absence as Denver continues to navigate a busy part of the schedule without him.Denver Nuggets Adjusting and WinningDenver Nuggets have handled Nikola Jokic’s absence better than expected. The Nuggets have won six of their last seven games and recently closed a four-game winning streak. That stretch included a 42-point performance from Jamal Murray, who has taken on more responsibility as a scorer and leader.Other players have also stepped up. Peyton Watson has seen an expanded role and has been more involved on offense. Denver’s record without Jokic now stands at 7-3, and the team is 12-6 at home. Those numbers explain why the Nuggets enter the night as heavy favorites despite missing their best player.
Nuggets vs Hornets Full Injury Report (January 18, 2026)
Both teams are dealing with injuries, though Denver’s list is led by Jokic’s continued absence.TeamPlayerStatusInjury Nuggets Nikola Jokic Out Left Knee Bone Bruise Nuggets Christian Braun Out/GTD Ankle Nuggets Cameron Johnson Out Right Knee Hornets Moussa Diabate Questionable/Day-to-Day Hamstring Hornets Mason Plumlee Out Groin Surgery Hornets Jonas Valanciunas Out Calf
What to Expect Tonight
Jamal Murray enters the game averaging 24.0 points per contest and leads a Denver offense that has relied on balance and depth. Charlotte will depend on LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges, but the Hornets are just 8-15 away from home.Also read: Charlotte Hornets vs Denver Nuggets injury report: Injured and questionable players, head-to-head records, team stats, and more (January 18, 2026)Denver Nuggets remain 5.5 games behind Oklahoma City in the standings. While Nikola Jokic’s return is getting closer, this game shows how the Nuggets have stayed competitive without him, even as his absence is clearly felt with the playoffs approaching.