Wait. If you came here hoping to see the Big Tippy-Toe himself back in the lineup, I’ve got some bad news. Honestly, it’s a bit of a bummer. Is Nikola Jokic playing tonight against the Washington Wizards? No. He’s officially ruled out for this Saturday, January 17, 2026, matchup at Ball Arena.
It’s been a minute since we’ve seen him. Since late December, actually. The Denver Nuggets have been grinding along without their triple-double machine, and while they've been surprisingly decent, the vibe just isn't the same. Watching a Nuggets game without Jokic is like going to a concert and finding out the lead singer is home with the flu—the band still knows the songs, but the magic is missing.
What Happened to the Joker?
Basically, it all went sideways on December 29th against Miami. You might remember the play. Jokic went down hard, clutching that left knee. Initially, everyone in Denver held their breath. Like, collective city-wide panic.
It turned out to be a left knee hyperextension and a pretty nasty bone bruise. Shams Charania reported shortly after that he’d be out at least four weeks. We are currently in week three of that timeline.
- Injury Date: December 29, 2025
- The Diagnosis: Left knee hyperextension / Bone bruise
- Official Status: Out
- The Silver Lining: He’s actually back to doing on-court workouts as of a few days ago.
The team is being super cautious. And why wouldn't they be? You don't rush a three-time MVP back for a mid-January game against a 10-win Wizards team.
👉 See also: Why Huntsville Minor League Baseball is Finally Having a Moment (and it's not the Stars)
Is Nikola Jokic Playing Tonight: The Impact on Your Parlay
If you’re looking at the betting lines, the absence of the Joker changes everything. Denver is still favored because, well, it’s the Wizards, but the way they score is totally different now.
Without Nikola, the Nuggets' net rating usually falls off a cliff. Surprisingly though, they've gone 6-3 in this stretch. Jamal Murray has been playing like a man possessed, averaging nearly 26 points a game this month. Peyton Watson has also stepped up, looking like a real-deal starter rather than just a "high-potential" energy guy.
But here is the catch. The "point-center" role is gone. There’s no one to fling those 60-foot touchdowns or look-away dimes from the high post. Instead, Denver is playing more traditional, guard-heavy basketball. They lead the league in field-goal percentage and three-point accuracy right now, which is wild considering they're missing the guy who creates the easiest shots in basketball.
The 65-Game Rule Stress
There’s a bit of a ticking clock here. If you’re a Jokic fan who cares about the MVP race or All-NBA honors, the math is getting tight. The NBA’s 65-game rule is a harsh mistress.
Jokic had played 38 games before the injury. If he stays out through early February, he’s going to be right on the edge of eligibility for those big end-of-season awards. According to Marc Stein, the Nuggets are targeting a return in early February. That would keep him in the hunt, but it leaves zero margin for error later in the spring.
Who Else is Out?
The Nuggets training room is basically a crowded DMV right now. It's not just Jokic.
- Christian Braun: He’s out tonight with an ankle sprain.
- Jonas Valanciunas: Also out. The calf injury has been lingering.
- Cameron Johnson: Out with a knee issue.
On the bright side, Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, and Bruce Brown are all listed as probable. They'll likely suit up, which should be enough to handle Washington.
When Will He Actually Return?
Everything points to the "re-evaluation" phase being almost over. Since he’s already back to on-court work, we aren't looking at months. We are looking at weeks. Probably two.
If you’re eyeing tickets, maybe skip the Charlotte game tomorrow and look toward the Lakers game on January 20th as a maybe, though early February is the safer bet. The Nuggets are 28-13 and tied for second in the West. They have the luxury of being patient.
So, while the answer to is Nikola Jokic playing tonight is a firm no, the Nuggets are surviving. They’ve turned into a "strength in numbers" squad while their superstar recovers.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Check the Injury Report exactly 30 minutes before tip-off for any last-minute "probable" to "active" shifts for Murray or Gordon.
- Watch Peyton Watson's usage. He’s been the primary beneficiary of the vacated frontcourt minutes and is a solid fantasy play right now.
- Keep an eye on the February 1st matchup against OKC; that’s the circle-your-calendar date for a potential Jokic return to the floor.