Nikola Jokic Injury: Plans to return Friday

Jokic (knee) is expected to play Friday against the Clippers, Shams Charania of ESPN reports.

Jokic is officially listed as questionable on the NBA injury report, but barring a setback leading up to Friday's 9 p.m. ET tipoff, the three-time MVP looks poised to put an end to his 16-game absence due to a left knee bone bruise, which he suffered in a Dec. 29 loss to the Heat. Charania had previously reported Tuesday that Jokic wasn't scheduled to be re-evaluated for another week, but the veteran center evidently responded to workouts better than expected over the next few days and looks like he'll be given the green light to suit up Friday. Assuming Jokic ends up playing, expect him to operate with a minutes restriction.