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Isaiah Joe of the Oklahoma City Thunder gets in between Luguentz Dort of the Oklahoma City Thunder and Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets.
Nikola Jokić could be headed for a rare night off as the Denver Nuggets manage their star center ahead of the playoffs.
The two-time MVP is listed as questionable for Friday’s matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder due to right wrist injury management. It marks the first time in more than two months that Jokić has appeared in danger of missing a game.
Denver has taken a cautious approach as the regular season winds down, prioritizing health with just days remaining before the postseason begins.
Nikola Jokić Anchoring Nuggets’ Late-Season Surge
Jokić’s potential absence comes as Denver rides one of the hottest stretches in the league.
The Nuggets have won 10 straight games, the longest active streak in the NBA, and have surged into firm control of the No. 3 seed in the Western Conference. Denver (52-28) currently holds a 1 1/2-game lead over the Los Angeles Lakers and Houston Rockets.
In their latest win — a 136-119 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies — Jokić recorded his 34th triple-double of the season, finishing with 14 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists in just 31 minutes.
The performance further underscored his consistency. Jokić has already secured a second consecutive season averaging a triple-double and continues to lead the league in rebounds and assists.
Nuggets Balancing Rest vs Rhythm
Despite their momentum, the Nuggets face a key decision on how much rest to give their core players heading into the playoffs.
Jokić has not missed a game in over two months, making Friday’s questionable designation notable. Denver must weigh the benefits of rest against the risk of disrupting rhythm during a critical stretch.
The team is not yet locked into the No. 3 seed, with only a narrow margin separating them from the chasing pack. Maintaining positioning could be crucial for playoff matchups and home-court advantage.
At the same time, preserving health remains the priority.
If Jokić does not play, Jonas Valančiūnas is expected to return to the starting lineup. The veteran center recently played his 1,000th career game and has provided depth in Denver’s rotation.
MVP Race Nearing Conclusion
Jokić’s status also comes as the NBA MVP race approaches its final stages.
The Nuggets star has been a central figure in the conversation, putting together one of the most statistically complete seasons of his career. However, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has emerged as the heavy favorite to win the award after leading the Thunder to the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference.
Jokić remains in contention for a top finish in voting, with his late-season surge helping solidify Denver’s standing among the conference’s elite teams.
Meanwhile, Victor Wembanyama has also been part of the discussion, though his candidacy is tied to meeting the league’s 65-game threshold for postseason awards eligibility.
Key Stretch Ahead for Denver
The Nuggets close the regular season with matchups against the top teams in the conference, making each game critical as they finalize playoff positioning.
Even with the strong winning streak, Denver has needed to navigate tight contests, including comeback victories that went into overtime.
That grueling stretch adds urgency to decisions surrounding player availability, particularly for Jokić, whose workload has been among the heaviest in the league.
Whether Jokić suits up Friday or not, Denver’s focus remains clear — balance health and momentum as the playoffs approach, with their franchise cornerstone at the center of that equation.
Alder Almo is a veteran NBA reporter for Heavy.com, covering the New York Knicks, Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors. He brings over 20 years of experience across local and international media, including broadcast, print and digital. He previously covered the Knicks for Empire Sports Media and the NBA for Off the Glass. Originally from the Philippines, he is now based in Jersey City, New Jersey. More about Alder Almo
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