Nikola Jokic has built a reputation for remarkable durability throughout his NBA career. The multi-time MVP played in at least 70 games in each of his first seven seasons, with his only previous dip coming in 2021-22 when he missed the 70-game mark by a single contest.
He followed that up with 79 games in one season and 70 in the next. But the 2025-26 campaign brought an unfamiliar challenge. During Denver’s game on December 29, Jokic suffered a knee injury that sidelined him longer than ever before.
From December 31 through January 29, the star center missed 16 games — his longest absence to date. Even after returning in late January, he has stayed on the court without further misses.
When reflecting on the season in late March, Jokic admitted the injury disrupted his usual rhythm. “I think for me, it was a little bit inconsistent just because of the injury,” he told reporters after a recent Nuggets win over the Dallas Mavericks.
“The first time I was coming back from injury. So, you know, the turnovers and good games is going to happen, bad games, bad missed shots is going to happen. It was just something new for me, and I will say I’m consistent.”
Jokic emphasized that his play reached an exceptionally high level before the injury but felt more uneven afterward. “I think before the injury, I played really, really high-level basketball,” he added. “And then, since the injury, it’s so-so.”
Since his return, Jokic has posted solid numbers: 25.6 points per game on 52.7% shooting from the field and 30.8% from three, along with 13.6 rebounds and 10.7 assists. By his elite standards, these figures represent a slight step back, but they still reflect a dominant contributor.
For the full season across 58 games, Jokic averages 27.8 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 10.8 assists while shooting 57.0% from the field and 38.0% from three. These stats keep him firmly among the league’s best, even if the injury created inconsistency.
The setback has also affected his standing in the MVP race. Entering the stretch run, Jokic was in a tight two-man battle with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder. However, recent NBA.com MVP ladder updates place him third, behind both SGA (the frontrunner) and Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs.
Despite the dip in ranking, Jokic continues to deliver at an All-NBA level, and the Nuggets remain in the thick of the Western Conference playoff picture.
With the season winding down, Denver faces the Utah Jazz on Friday, March 27, at 9 PM ET. Fresh off strong recent performances—including triple-double efforts—the Nuggets will look to Jokic to provide stability and push for a strong finish.
Jokic’s honesty highlights a rare vulnerable chapter in an otherwise remarkably consistent career. While the knee issue created new challenges, his ability to return and maintain high production underscores why he remains one of the NBA’s most indispensable stars.