Is Nikola Jokic playing tonight against Knicks? Latest injury update on Nuggets star ahead of matchup (18th March 2023)
NBA MVP Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets are in the middle of a five-game swing on the East Coast. After stints in Toronto and Detroit, it’s off to Madison Square Garden to take on the New York Knicks.
Before Thursday night’s win over the Pistons, the Nuggets were stuck in a four-game worse game. Denver will look to extend their winning streak to back-to-back games at the expense of Tom Thibodeau’s roster.
The Nuggets are just 6-5 after the All-Star break, though Nikola Jokic is still putting up MVP-caliber numbers. He averages 25.1 points, 13.7 rebounds and 9.2 assists during Denver’s underperforming stretch. The Joker hits 63.7% of his shots, including a sizzling 45.5% from behind the arc.
Denver head coach Mike Malone called his team “too relaxed” during his recent poor form. Malone has stressed his team must end the season strong to regain its swagger.
A win over the New York Knicks should give them back their groove if they often overwhelm their opponents.
What is the status of Nikola Jokic against the New York Knicks tonight?
The Denver Nuggets don’t have Nikola Jokic on their injury report, meaning he should be available tonight. The Denver franchise player has missed just eight games this season and will remain so when he takes on the New York Knicks.
Denver lost to New York at their first meeting in November. The Nuggets will seek revenge against Julius Randle and his crew tonight.
What influence does Nikola Jokic have on the Denver Nuggets?
The Denver Nuggets only go as far as the back-to-back MVP can carry them. He didn’t have a major supporting cast last year due to injuries, but he still managed to pull them into the playoffs.
Jokic has a healthier, deeper and more balanced team this time. They’ve sat comfortably at the top of the Western Conference for more than three months. Despite their recent slip, the Denver Nuggets (47-23) are still 4.5 games ahead of the Sacramento Kings (42-27) and Memphis Grizzlies.
“The Joker” is the main reason the Nuggets have been so good for most of the season. He averages 24.8 points, 11.9 rebounds, 9.9 assists and 1.2 steals. His numbers are just mind-blowing, however anyone slices them. Whether analyzing the raw numbers or sticking to more advanced metrics, Jokic’s impact on the Denver Nuggets is unmatched by anyone on the team.
Joel Embiid has climbed to the top of the MVP ratings after a dominant seven-game run with the Philadelphia 76ers. Nikola Jokic doesn’t seem to care who gets the award but he’s obsessed with winning.
The Nuggets could return to their winning ways sooner rather than later because of Jokic’s overwhelming excellence.
You might also like to read: Joel Embiid vs. Nikola Jokic: examining their individual stats in each category and their MVP credentials for the 2022-23 NBA season
Edited by
Michael Macasero