Nikola Jokic, a three-time NBA MVP, aims to return during the Denver Nuggets' five-game homestand following a left ankle impingement that has sidelined him for four games. Coach Michael Malone emphasized the significance of reuniting the team's starting five, which has faced limited opportunities together this season. Jokic has been enduring heavy minutes lately while averaging nearly 40 minutes over eight games, but the Nuggets are now prioritizing his recovery over playoff positioning as he also dealt with a recent elbow injury.
We're just trying to get home and kind of see where he's at. It'd be great to have a chance to get our starting five some run together, because we haven't had a lot of opportunity to do that this season.
Jokic had been playing heavy minutes despite the ankle problem -- averaging 39.8 minutes in eight March games -- before Denver decided to prioritize his health over fighting for the highest possible playoff seed.
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