Jokic guides Nuggets past Clippers in return from injury

Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic showed little signs of rust in returning from a month-long absence during Friday's 122-109 victory over the Los Angeles Clippers.

Jokic recorded 31 points, 12 rebounds, and five assists in 25 minutes as the Nuggets snapped the Clippers' three-game winning streak. He shot 8-of-11 from the field and 13-of-17 from the charity stripe, before exiting with two minutes left in the fourth quarter to raucous applause from the Denver crowd.

Peyton Watson and Jamal Murray chipped in 21 and 20 points respectively, while Tim Hardaway Jr. had 22 points off the bench and moved into the 20th spot on the league's all-time 3-pointers made list.

The Nuggets move to 33-16 on the season and now sit five game back of the Oklahoma City Thunder for top spot in the West.

James Harden led the visitors with 25 points and nine assists. Los Angeles had won 16 of their previous 19 contests, the best win percentage in the league during that span.

Jokic had been sidelined since Dec. 29 with a hyperextended left knee, which he sustained in a game versus the Miami Heat.

"I was not scared to use it," Jokic said postgame, according to The Associated Press. "I was not thinking about it while I was running and while I was playing. I think that’s a good sign I’m ready."

Jokic had been producing another MVP-caliber season prior to his injury. He's fifth in the league in scoring at 29.6 points per game on 60.5% shooting from the field entering Friday's contest. He's also averaging a career-high 11.0 assists and 12.2 rebounds to go along with 16 triple-doubles.

Jokic sat out 16 games while recovering from his injury, marking the most contests he's missed in any season of his career. The Nuggets posted a 10-6 record in his absence.

Denver is managing injuries to several key contributors. Aaron Gordon is reportedly expected to miss four-to-six weeks after re-aggravating a hamstring strain, while Christian Braun (ankle) and Cameron Johnson (knee) have missed significant time dating back to November.