The Denver Nuggets should be welcoming back their Serbian star soon. Nikola Jokic, who has missed four games, is anticipated to join the lineup during the upcoming five-game homestand. Denver coach Michael Malone confirmed this prior to the Nuggets’ 116-111 victory against the Houston Rockets on Sunday, a game from which Jokić was absent.

“He’s going to play in Denver, the five-game homestand,” Malone said. “He’ll play at some point, hopefully in that five-game homestand. Obviously, he’s not playing [Sunday]. I don’t think he’ll play [Monday]. We’re just trying to get home and kind of see where he’s at.”

Following Sunday’s win, the Nuggets have home games against the Bulls on Monday, the Bucks on Wednesday, and the Jazz on Friday, with back-to-back fixtures against the Timberwolves and Spurs next week.

Jokić has dealt with a persistent ankle injury; however, he has mostly managed to play through it. “Yeah, I’ve limped basically the past 14 years,” the three-time MVP remarked regarding his condition during a previous game against the Boston Celtics.

Despite wishing to continue playing, Jokić is averaging nearly 40 minutes over the last eight games, translating to a demanding workload that has led the Nuggets to a mediocre 4-4 record during that span. His presence on the court is crucial for the Nuggets’ success, especially with playoffs approaching. It might cost the team wins in the short term, but prioritizing Jokić’s health is essential for a stronger postseason performance.

Currently, Jokic averages a triple-double with 29.1 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 10.3 assists per game, making him a leading contender for MVP alongside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander from the Oklahoma City Thunder.

With their latest victory, the Nuggets stand at 45-27, securing the No. 3 seed in the West, just one game behind the No. 2 seed Rockets (46-26) and one ahead of the No. 4 seed Lakers (43-27).