When Nikola Jokic returned from his unprecedented month-long injury absence, the biggest question was how long it would take for him to look like his old self again. His comeback against the Clippers was stunning. However, as the games went on — particularly against elite opponents like the Thunder, Pistons, and Cavaliers — it became clear he hadn’t yet regained the in-game rhythm needed to dominate the way he had before the injury. Now that he’s been back for a longer stretch, he has resembled his old self in many ways. Yet in a few key areas, something still seems off, much of which appears to trace back to his reported wrist issue.
The Denver Nuggets’ Fate May Hinge On Jokic’s Wrist Injury
The good news is that he appears close to his physical best again. His defensive effort in recent matchups against the Timberwolves and Thunder (February 27th) has been nearly at a playoff level.
What has been noticeably absent, however, is his shooting touch. Jokic’s three-point percentage has dipped. His turnover numbers have been uncharacteristically high. His floaters, typically one of the most reliable weapons in his arsenal, haven’t been nearly as effective as we’ve come to expect. And it all seems to trace back to one thing — that wrist injury.
Optimism For Jokic And The Nuggets
There is, however, reason for optimism. This reportedly isn’t a new issue—Jokic has been dealing with wrist problems for years. The hope is that as he finds his in-game rhythm again, he’ll adjust and start to resemble the best version of himself. Monday’s game against the Thunder could hopefully be an indication of this. He knocked down three from deep, including two big ones down the stretch, and only had three turnovers.
If things don’t change, however, history could repeat itself in the postseason. Two years ago, the Timberwolves bothered Jokic with their twin-tower lineup of Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert. They forced him to rely more heavily on a three-point shot that wasn’t as reliable at the time. The Serbian spent the following offseason addressing that weakness. Jokic returned the next year as one of the league’s most efficient three-point shooters, turning that negative into a positive. That shooting ability matters more than ever now, considering the two-big lineups teams in the west like the Timberwolves, Rockets, Spurs, and especially the Thunder can throw at him.
No Healthy Jokic, No Title Chance
After their recent struggles, the Nuggets won’t enter this year’s playoffs as favorites. Their first priority must be getting their most important players healthy and back to their best by the time the postseason begins. Even then, teams like the Thunder — and possibly even the Spurs — would enter a series against them as favorites.
However, above all else, the Nuggets’ success hinges on one thing. They need to have the best player on the floor every night. In several of their recent losses to top opponents, Jokic simply hasn’t been that considering his injury. The depth is better than last year, and Jamal Murray looks as sharp as he has since the 2023 title run. Nevertheless, none of that matters if the Joker isn’t operating at his full capacity.
Featured Image: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
