Nikola Jokic said he was raring to go after his impressive return from injury helped the Denver Nuggets defeat the Los Angeles Clippers.

The star center scored 31 points, shooting 73% from the field (8/11) and 67% from beyond the arc (2/3), while also contributing 12 rebounds, five assists and three steals in a 122-109 win for Denver.

It was his first appearance since December, when he sustained a knee injury against the Miami Heat that ruled him out for 16 games.

It was the first injury of that nature for Jokic, who was relieved to see he had not lost a step while on the sidelines.

"It was a new thing for me," Jokic said of being unable to play for a month.

"I was getting nervous because I didn't know the steps. I didn't know what I was supposed to do, what I was supposed to feel. It was a different kind of nervous.

"I was not scared to use [the knee]. 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."

Just a perfect night  pic.twitter.com/HRUyE2k3Jg

— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) January 31, 2026

Next up for Jokic and the Nuggets is a matchup against the reigning NBA champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder, on Sunday.

Despite a strong showing from Jokic, Denver head coach David Adelman believes he must be eased back into action.

"It's great to have [Jokic] back, but let's temper a little bit," said Adelman. "The guy's been hurt. He's been out.

"Having the best player alive, in my opinion... that is a major, major thing to get back. I just want to make sure we temper the idea of what it could be like.

“He's got to get out there and feel comfortable again. We all know what it is when he is comfortable. It's something we've never seen.

"We're moving in the right direction. Obviously, we're excited to have him back, as we will be with any of these guys that have been out for an extended period of time."