Nikola Jokic missed five games this season because he was sick. The Denver Nuggets didn’t do well without him, winning only 2 out of 5 games. This shows how important Jokic is to the team. He believes in his role so much that he couldn’t stop himself from playing in the Nuggets vs. Nets game last night.
Nikola Jokic played against the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday night despite being sick. He shared how difficult it was to play through his illness. Nikola Jokic explained that his illness affected his whole body, saying, “It was everything – head, nose, my chest, a little bit my throat.”
He added, “My body felt weak, so it was really weird. … I felt a little bit more tired. Second half was much better than the first half. First half, I almost died.”
“First half I almost died.” 😂
— DNVR Nuggets (@DNVR_Nuggets) January 11, 2025
Nikola Jokic on coming back from his illness to play tonight. pic.twitter.com/cQ2Qvo8Olr
Despite his condition, Jokic decided to play through the illness in a game against the Brooklyn Nets, and he proved again why he was a three-time back-to-back MVP winner.
Nikola Jokic shines bright against Nets
The Denver Nuggets struggled without Jokic in the last five games, but with him back, no one expected him to perform like this. Jokic led the Nuggets to a big 124-105 win over the Brooklyn Nets on Friday.
Even though he was sick, he played like an MVP, scoring 35 points, getting 15 assists, and grabbing 12 rebounds. This was his 15th triple-double of the season, the most in the NBA.
Nikola Jokic in the win vs the Nets:
— Serbian Basketball (@SerbBasketNews) January 11, 2025
35 PTS
15 ASTS
12 REBS
4 STLS
14-21 FG (1-1 3FG)
6-8 FTS
38 MINS
+33
Jokic returns to the lineup after missing the last 2 games due to illness and reaches his 15th TD of the season.#MileHighBasketball
🇷🇸🏀pic.twitter.com/0csXUH1Qkd
He got his 10th rebound after his teammate, Russell Westbrook, blocked a shot with just over six minutes left. In the fourth quarter alone, he contributed nine points, four assists, and three rebounds, ensuring the Nuggets maintained their lead despite a late rally from the Nets.
