Jonas

Valančiūnas

Jokić was supposedly still under a minutes restriction on Wednesday. Due to the combination of the game requiring two overtimes and Jonas Valančiūnas (two points, three rebounds and two assists) struggling with foul trouble, the three-time MVP’s restriction appeared to be nothing more than a suggestion. Jokić played 44 of a possible 58 minutes, recording his 17th triple-double of the season. There was an injury scare during the first quarter when The Joker hit the floor with a left leg injury, but he was able to return. The lone issue for him was three-point shooting, with Jokić going 1-of-13 from beyond the arc.

Jokić made his long-awaited return to the Nuggets’ lineup on Friday, needing just 25 minutes to put up 31 points, 12 rebounds and five assists in a win over the Clippers. He’ll likely be under a similar minutes restriction on Sunday, but the three-time MVP does not need to log heavy minutes to record an elite stat line. If Jokić can’t play, Jonas Valančiūnas would be the replacement in the starting lineup.

Valančiūnas was initially listed as probable with a calf injury, so his availability isn’t a surprise. With Nikola Jokic (knee) returning from injury, though, Valančiūnas will head back to the bench and lose most of his fantasy value.

Jokić is set to return after being sidelined with a knee injury he suffered in a December 29 loss to the Heat. Nuggets coach David Adelman told reporters the 30-year-old center will start and be on a minutes restriction. Jokić’s return is a welcomed sight for fantasy managers. Jonas Valanciunas will move to the bench and lose most of his fantasy value with the three-time MVP back in the starting lineup.

While Valančiūnas did not play both games of the Nuggets’ most recent back-to-back, he appears to be on track to play Friday night after logging 25 minutes in Thursday’s win over the Nets. With Nikola Jokić (knee) possibly returning on Friday, the Nuggets may be able to keep JV’s minutes down simply by having the three-time MVP in the lineup.

Sidelined since injuring his knee during a December 29 loss to the Heat, Jokić could potentially return to the Nuggets’ lineup on Friday. Given the amount of time missed, the three-time MVP will be on a minutes restriction for at least Friday’s game. When healthy, Jonas Valančiūnas has filled the void at the center position, but he’ll lose most of his streaming value once Jokić returns.

Valančiūnas was initially listed as probable, and now he is officially cleared to suit up. This could mean that he won’t play the second leg of this back-to-back against the Clippers since he didn’t play the second leg of their last back-to-back. If that happens, Zeke Nnaji could return to the starting lineup.

Jokić has been sidelined since December, but they’re hoping to have him back before they take on the Grizzlies on Feb. 11. Including Thursday’s game against the Nets, Denver has eight more games before the break. Jonas Valančiūnas should remain the starting center for now, with Zeke Nnaji starting when he is sidelined.

Valančiūnas, who starts for the injured Nikola Jokić (knee), recorded a double-double in Tuesday’s loss to the Pistons. The probable tag suggests that he’ll be available on Thursday, and this matchup could be a good one for the veteran center.

Similarly to last season when Domantas Sabonis was injured which opened up playing time for Valančiūnas to thrive on the Kings, Nikola Jokic’s injury has done the same for Valančiūnas on the Nuggets. That could be coming to an end as soon as next week as Jokic will be re-evaluated for his return then. Valančiūnas continues to be a great waiver wire addition since Jokic went down and Tuesday’s 16-point, 16-rebound effort showed that once again.