Nuggets head coach Michael Malone suggested Jokic (wrist) will likely be available for the second half of a back-to-back set Friday versus the Bulls, Harrison Wind of TheDNVR.com reports. "As far as I know there's nothing wrong with Nikola," Malone said of Jokic, who appeared to sustain a right wrist injury late in Thursday's 103-89 loss to the 76ers.
Jokic didn't play in the final four minutes of the game, but based on Malone's comments, that may have been more of a byproduct of the 76ers maintaining a big lead rather than any concern about the reigning MVP's health. Because the Nuggets won't hold a morning shootaround Friday, a clearer update on Jokic might not arrive until later in the day, but at this stage, the center looks probable ahead of a 9 p.m. ET tipoff against the Bulls. Though Golden State's Stephen Curry looks like the early frontrunner for MVP honors, Jokic has submitted an impressive follow-up to last season's career-best campaign. He's averaging 26.4 points, 13.6 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 1.8 three-pointers, 1.2 steals and 0.9 blocks in 32.4 minutes per game on 59.3/74.7/41 percent shooting splits from the field, free-throw line and three-point range, respectively.