Is Nikola Jokic playing tonight vs the Philadelphia 76ers? Latest update on the Denver Nuggets star's injury report (January 5, 2026)

Nikola Jokic will not play tonight when the Denver Nuggets face the Philadelphia 76ers on January 5, 2026. The Nuggets will again be without their center as he continues to recover from a left knee injury, leaving an already thin roster short on options.This game comes at a rough point in Denver’s schedule. Injuries have wiped out most of the rotation, turning what should have been a competitive matchup into a difficult road assignment. Philadelphia, on the other hand, enters with momentum and a healthier lineup, giving them a clear advantage before tip-off.Nikola Jokic injured his left knee on December 29 against the Miami Heat. The injury was diagnosed as a hyperextension with a bone bruise after teammate Spencer Jones stepped on his foot during a play. Tests confirmed there was no major structural damage, but the team ruled him out for at least four weeks.That timeline places Jokic’s return sometime in late January or early February. Before the injury, he was averaging 29.6 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 11.0 assists per game while shooting 60.5 percent from the field. Denver has struggled to replace that production on both ends of the floor.Denver is missing its entire starting lineup along with several key reserves, leaving the team short-handed across every position.This will be Jokic’s fourth straight missed game. During this stretch, Denver has lost four of its last five and has had trouble scoring consistently or defending the paint.Philadelphia enters the game in better shape and is currently on a three-game winning streak.Also read: Is Joel Embiid playing tonight vs the Denver Nuggets? Latest update on the Philadelphia 76ers star's injury report (January 5, 2026)With Jokic unavailable, Denver lacks its primary scorer and playmaker. Philadelphia, led by a probable Joel Embiid along with Tyrese Maxey and Paul George, holds a clear edge inside. Unless Denver gets unexpected production from its bench, the matchup favors the home team.