By Nikola Miloradovic / info@eurohoops.net
Nikola Jokic is rarely off the court, but this time, he had to take a pause due to certain injuries.
After a five-game absence, he returned in style, leading the Denver Nuggets to a win over the Milwaukee Bucks with a mighty triple-double.
Speaking after his 30th triple-double of the season, he reflected on the time he spent sidelined.
“It was just smart,” Jokic said. “I couldn’t really jump on my left leg. So it was really painful, and it was just better to feel good. I don’t want to be on the floor and feel nervous because I can’t play how I want to play and at the level I want to play.”
The Nuggets rely on Jokic’s health for a deep playoff run, particularly since they’ve struggled with a 4-7 record in games he’s missed this season.
“I feel much better than I thought. I don’t want to give percentages, but I feel much better than I expected. …I still feel (the ankle) a little bit, but it’s much, much, much, much less than how it was before.”
Jokic is averaging 29.3 points, 12.8 rebounds, and 10.3 assists per game this season, and he remains in the Top 3 in the league for all three major statistical categories—a feat no player has ever completed over the course of a season.