The Joker is in hiding!? The 2024 MVP has missed 3 straight games this season so far. Without him, the Denver Nuggets are 1-2. And Nikola Jokic was not present at the practice today due to ‘personal reasons.’
Before this chaotic period, however, Jokic was once again showcasing his brilliance on the court. Over ten games, he’s delivered jaw-dropping performances with averages of 29.7 points, 13.7 rebounds, and 11.7 assists per game. He’s also snagged 1.7 steals each night! What’s truly remarkable? His efficiency. The Serb knocked down 56.3% of his shots from the field and an unbelievable 56.4% from three-point range.
As reported by Katy Winge of Altitude TV, Nikola Jokic is staying with his family, and the team remains uncertain about his availability for Friday’s NBA Cup game against the Dallas Mavericks. “Nikola Jokić was not at Nuggets practice today (he remains with his family) and his status is still up in the air for tomorrow against the Mavericks,” she wrote. He has been listed as questionable against the Mavs.
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Without Jokic, the Nuggets managed a 122-110 win over the Grizzlies on Tuesday, thanks to big performances from key players. Jamal Murray stepped up as the offensive leader, dropping 27 points and dishing out six assists. Michael Porter Jr. made his presence felt with a solid double-double, tallying 24 points and 11 rebounds.
Nikola Jokić was not at Nuggets practice today (he remains with his family) and his status is still up in the air for tomorrow against the Mavericks.
Aaron Gordon’s status is still TBD for tomorrow as well. He’s coming back from a calf injury.
— Katy Winge (@katywinge) November 21, 2024
Adding to the effort, 23-year-old Christian Braun delivered an impressive 19 points along with seven rebounds, helping to secure the victory. Denver showcased its depth, proving the team can hold its own even without their MVP. But fans want to know where is their star center.
Fans pour in love and ‘understand’ beloved big man Nikola Jokic’s dedication to his family
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Can the Nuggets survive without Jokic, or is his presence irreplaceable on the court?
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Fans are now concerned about the big man’s absence. One user tweeted, “Do we have any idea whats going on!?”. While it is understandable that a player requires privacy in matters involving their family, when the person is a 3x MVP, the community will obviously start to ask questions. Plus, the city of Denver loves Jokic, so it is only fair they are concerned about him. After all his mural is painted in the city!
Another netizen was worried about the 6-foot-11 center’s family and if everything was okay. They wrote, “Hopefully, things are going well for Jokic Family”. Given how Nikola Jokic carries himself—with humility and quiet strength—it’s no surprise that fans have rallied behind him during this period. There is nothing to worry about, as per Katy Winge- she has also confirmed the family is fine, and there is nothing to be “alarmed.”
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One user wrote, “Hope everything is ok with Jokic,” echoing the collective sentiment of Nuggets Nation. It’s not just about the team missing their cornerstone player; it’s more about the person behind the accolades. And it is known that he is a dedicated family man.
One more fan expressed his opinion, they tweeted “As long as everyone’s okay”. Fans aren’t just worried about the Nuggets’ lineup; they’re genuinely hoping everything is fine in Jokic’s personal life. The Serb rarely misses games without significant reason. The outpouring of love and support underscores just how much Jokic means to the fanbase—not just as a player, but as a person.
But one person didn’t care about all this. They wrote, “When’s he gonna play“. Straight to business. Looks like someone’s losing money with Jokic out of the team! Just joking. But there is no update on when he’ll return. Your guess will be as good as ours.
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“No idea about Friday (vs. Mavericks). There’s no news out of Denver, so we’ll revisit that when we get home. Kind of see where everything’s going with his family.” These were Mike Malone’s last words about his team’s talisman earlier this week. For now, Nuggets fans wait patiently, trusting that their superstar will return when the time is right.
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Can the Nuggets survive without Jokic, or is his presence irreplaceable on the court?