Breaking news from a marquee Western matchup. Nikola Jokic is back in the Nuggets lineup against the Clippers tonight. The two time MVP has cleared the knee issue that kept him out since December 29. The stage just got bigger, and the game plan for both teams just changed.
Jokic is back, and the game changes
Jokic resets everything for Denver. The offense runs through him, at the elbow, the block, and the top of the key. His touch unlocks Jamal Murray’s two man rhythm. It frees Michael Porter Jr. for clean looks. It lets Aaron Gordon cut with purpose. The spacing, the pace, and the patience all return.
This is not only about scoring. Jokic controls tempo. He drags bigs out of the paint. He hits shooters on time. He punishes switches with size, then reads double teams like a point guard. When he sits, Denver fights possessions. When he plays, Denver solves problems.
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This is Jokic’s first game action since a knee injury on December 29. His feel and timing are the story inside the story.
The Clippers must adjust fast
This puts the spotlight on Ivica Zubac, who has been steady as a rim protector and roller. He will need early help, and the help must be smart. Kawhi Leonard and Paul George can dig and recover. James Harden must tag cutters and keep the weak side honest. One late step against Jokic is a layup or a corner three.
On the other end, the Clippers will try to make Jokic defend in space. Harden will call for screens. Kawhi will hunt mid range spots. George will test the second side of the floor. Denver’s guards need to hold up at the point, or the rotations will crack.
- What to watch early: Denver’s first few touches for Jokic, Zubac’s positioning, and Harden’s pick and roll pace
- How the Clippers crowd the paint without giving up corner threes
- Denver’s off ball cuts by Gordon and Kentavious Caldwell Pope
- The battle on the glass, which often decides this matchup
If you want to read the game like a coach, watch Jokic’s first four possessions. They reveal his rhythm and Denver’s plan.
The chess on both benches
Michael Malone thrives on structure. Expect split action at the elbow and dribble handoffs to test switches. If the Clippers send a second defender at Jokic, look for the quick hit to the cutter. If they stay home, Joker will score with touch and footwork.
Tyronn Lue has counters ready. He can go small with speed and shooting, switch more actions, and change the help angle. Norman Powell’s scoring can tilt a stretch. Russell Westbrook’s pace can stress Denver’s transition defense. The question is how often the Clippers are willing to live with Jokic in single coverage, and how they cover the glass when they play small.
Bench minutes matter here. Denver’s second unit has leaned on Murray staggered minutes and energy around him. If Jokic anchors even short bursts with reserves, the Nuggets can stabilize. If the Clippers win those non star stretches, they can tilt the night.
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No minutes cap has been announced, but the Nuggets staff will manage Jokic’s workload with care. Watch the rotation pattern, not just total minutes.
Culture and stakes
This is a test of styles as much as skills. The Nuggets trust the pass and the cut. The Clippers lean on star shot making and late game calm. Both groups have big goals, and both know this matchup could echo in May.
Jokic brings a calm that spreads to everyone. Denver’s arena, or any building he walks into, feels different when he suits up. The Clippers carry a veteran poise. Kawhi’s expression never changes. Harden reads the floor like a chess board. George can swing a game in three trips down.
The edges are simple and hard. Win the paint. Win the glass. Protect the ball. The team that does two of the three usually wins this battle. Tonight, the presence of one player shifts all three.
Final word
Nikola Jokic is back, and that lifts the Nuggets and raises the stakes. The Clippers have the wings, the size, and the brains to make it a fight. Expect a measured first quarter, then a game that tightens with every trip. This is why stars play, and why coaches save counters. The West just took a deep breath. Now we see who takes the punch and who throws the next one.
