Nikola Jokic is seldom absent from the court, but he had to take a break recently due to some injuries.
After sitting out for five games, he made a spectacular return, guiding the Denver Nuggets to a victory against the Milwaukee Bucks with an impressive triple-double performance.
In a conversation after achieving his 30th triple-double of the season, he shared his thoughts on his time off.
“It was a wise decision,” Jokic explained. “I was unable to jump properly on my left leg, and it caused a lot of pain. It was simply better to ensure I felt good. I don’t want to step onto the court feeling anxious because I can’t perform at my desired level.”
The Nuggets depend on Jokic’s well-being as they aim for a deep playoff journey, especially given their challenging 4-7 record in games without him this season.
“I’m feeling much better than I anticipated. I don’t want to quantify it in percentages, but I’m definitely in a better state than I had expected. …I can still sense the ankle a little, but it’s significantly less painful compared to before.”
Jokic is currently averaging 29.3 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 10.3 assists per game, placing him among the Top 3 in the league across all three major statistical categories—a remarkable achievement that no player has ever accomplished in a single season.