The Nuggets host the Brooklyn Nets in Ball Arena on Thursday night, but as his frequently been the case this season, they’ll be without most of the starting lineup. That includes Nikola Jokic, who the team hoped to get back from injury this week.
Monday marked four weeks since Jokic suffered a knee injury, but after being reevaluated, Shams Charania of ESPN reported that Jokic will be reevaluated again in “about a week”. He has been ruled out for Thursday night, and almost certainly will miss Friday night’s game with the Clippers as well.
After that, Denver’s next three games will be against the West-leading Thunder on Sunday, then the top two teams in the East, the Pistons on Tuesday, and the Knicks on Wednesday. Having the Joker for any of those games would obviously be a huge boost, but at this point, it feels more like wishcasting than reality.
Nuggets will be without Jokic, Gordon, Braun, and Johnson vs. Nets
Jokic isn’t the only star who will be missing in action on Thursday night. Aaron Gordon remains out after re-aggravating his hamstring strain. On Thursday afternoon, it was announced that AG will be re-evaluated in 4-6 weeks, meaning we likely won’t see him again until March at the earliest.
Cam Johnson is nearing a return, but remains out on Thursday. And Christian Braun is out as well, as he is still without a timetable to return from his ankle sprain. Thankfully, Jamal Murray and Jonas Valanciunas are listed as probable, so the Nuggets should at least be able to scrap together a solid rotation to face Brooklyn.
MPJ will play in Denver for first time since trade
The Nets will be missing a bunch of players as well, in the midst of their race to the bottom, but one player who will be in action is Michael Porter Jr., who will make his return to Ball Arena for the first time since the trade last summer.
Mike was drafted by the Nuggets in 2018 and spent the first seven years of his career in Denver, including helping the team win its first title in 2023. But the Nuggets needed to reshape the roster in the offseason, and getting off of MPJ’s contract was the easiest way to accomplish that goal.
So far, the trade appears to have worked out for both sides as Denver was able to put together the deepest, most talented roster they’ve had during Jokic’s career. And on the other hand, Porter Jr. has thrived in Brooklyn, playing his way into All-Star consideration and revamping his own trade value to perhaps be dealt again to a contender.
But he’ll be wearing a Nets uniform on Thursday night for what should be an emotional return to Denver. Expect a warm welcome from the crowd and a heart-melting tribute video for Mike, and then hopefully, a stress-free Nuggets win before the upcoming gauntlet.