By Eurohoops Team / info@eurohoops.net
Nikola Jokic returned after a 16-game absence with a left knee injury, immediately picking up where he left off to lead the Denver Nuggets to a win over the Los Angeles Clippers.
Although his early return keeps him technically in the MVP race, Jokic said the focus wasn’t on that, but on being back on the court and helping his team win.
“Not even a little bit,” Jokic said.
He also reflected on his time off, a rare break for a player who almost never misses games.
“I didn’t know because I didn’t know what to expect. But I think whenever I do preparation during summer, that’s something that I really take pride with… and I really think the one from upstairs is protecting me. He knows that I did everything how it’s supposed to be, and I was just hoping that he saved me. Not save me, but kind of protect me.”
The Nuggets performed surprisingly well in Jokic’s absence, keeping pace with the top teams in the Western Conference.
“I’m happy for the guys. I’m happy because I think everybody doubted them, and everybody [was like], ‘Jamal cannot do this. Peyton [Watson] is not that kind of player.’… Everybody step up, and everybody show that they can play, and I always say when you play 100%, you give yourself a chance to win a game.”