If you woke up today and frantically checked the box scores to see Nikola Jokic points today, you probably noticed something pretty weird. There isn't a single point next to his name. No rebounds. No "Sombor Shuffle" highlights. Nothing.
It’s honestly kind of jarring. We’ve spent the last few years getting so used to seeing this guy sleepwalk his way into a 30-point triple-double that seeing a blank stat sheet feels like a glitch in the Matrix. But there’s a real, frustrating reason for it. The three-time MVP isn’t having a bad night; he’s stuck on the sidelines watching his Denver Nuggets from the bench.
The Knee Injury Keeping Jokic Out
The reality is that Nikola Jokic hasn’t suited up for a while now. He’s currently dealing with a knee bone bruise that he picked up back on December 29th during a game against the Miami Heat. At the time, it looked like just another bump—the kind he usually shakes off—but the medical staff has been super cautious.
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They basically ruled him out for at least a month. That means for today’s game against the Charlotte Hornets, Jokic is once again a "DNP - Injury." It's his 10th straight missed game. For a guy who has been an absolute "Iron Man" for most of his career, appearing in nearly every game for a decade, this stretch is basically uncharted territory for Denver fans.
Who Is Scoring Points for Denver Instead?
When the sun goes down and the best player in the world is in street clothes, someone has to pick up the slack. Honestly, the Nuggets have been surprisingly resilient. Usually, when a superstar goes down, teams crater. Not these guys.
Jamal Murray has turned into an absolute flame-thrower. Just yesterday against the Washington Wizards, Murray dropped 42 points. He’s been carrying the offensive load with a level of aggression we usually only see in the playoffs. He’s currently averaging over 25 points per game during this stretch, basically telling the rest of the league that the Nuggets aren't dead yet.
Then you have guys like Peyton Watson and Aaron Gordon step up. Even without Nikola Jokic points today, the Nuggets managed to win their last four games heading into the Charlotte matchup. They are sitting at 29-13, which is 3rd in the West. That’s kind of incredible when you realize they’ve played nearly 25% of their season without their best player.
Recent Scoring Trends Without the Joker
- Jamal Murray: Exploded for 42 against Washington; averaging 21.4 over the last ten.
- Michael Porter Jr.: Taking more shots, focusing on being a primary spacer.
- The Bench: Getting huge minutes from guys like Zeke Nnaji and the newly acquired Jonas Valanciunas, who was brought in specifically to provide some size during this injury gap.
What Most People Get Wrong About Jokic's Stats
People look at Nikola Jokic points today and think he’s just a scorer, but his absence shows exactly why that’s wrong. It’s the "invisible" points that are missing. When Jokic plays, he creates roughly 25 to 30 points just through his passing. Without him, the offense looks... different. It’s more "hero ball" and less "beautiful game."
Before the injury, Jokic was having a historic season. He was averaging 29.6 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 11.0 assists. Yeah, you read that right. He was literally averaging a triple-double while leading the league in several advanced categories. He even had a 56-point masterpiece against Minnesota on Christmas Day. That was arguably the peak of his season before the knee issue flared up.
When Will Jokic Return to the Court?
If you're looking for the next time we'll see actual Nikola Jokic points today (as in, on a live game day), the target date is late January. The original "one month" timeline points toward a return right around the game against the Brooklyn Nets on January 29th or perhaps the Philadelphia 76ers on March 17th if they decide to be extremely conservative.
However, given the Nuggets' recent winning streak, there is zero pressure to rush him back. Coach David Adelman—who took over for Michael Malone—has been pretty vocal about making sure Jokic is 100% for the postseason. They aren't chasing the #1 seed if it means risking a long-term knee issue.
Immediate Next Steps for Fans and Bettors
- Stop checking for Jokic props: If you’re into sports betting, don’t expect to see any lines for Jokic until at least the end of the month. Bookies have pulled all his season-long MVP odds for the time being.
- Monitor Jamal Murray’s usage: Since Jokic isn't playing, Murray’s "Over" on points is basically the safest bet in the building right now. He is the alpha and omega of that offense currently.
- Watch the Standings: Keep an eye on the 3-5 seeds in the West. If Denver starts to slide while Jokic is out, they might accelerate his rehab. If they keep winning, expect him to sit longer.
- Update your Fantasy Lineups: If you have Jokic in a fantasy league, hopefully, you’ve stashed him in an IR spot. If Jonas Valanciunas is somehow still on your waiver wire, pick him up immediately; he’s getting the bulk of those "big man" stats in Denver right now.
The Nuggets are surviving, but the NBA is just less fun without the big guy throwing water-polo passes across the court. We’ll keep an eye on the injury reports, but for now, the "points" column for Nikola remains empty.