Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic returns to lineup against Clippers in 1st game since knee injury on Dec. 29

DENVER (AP) — The Denver Nuggets finally have some beneficial news on the injury front — big man Nikola Jokic is back on the court.

Jokic returned to the starting lineup Friday night against the Los Angeles Clippers in his first game since suffering a knee injury on Dec. 29. The three-time NBA MVP will be on a minutes restriction, coach David Adelman said, as he eases his way back.

Jokic missed 16 games since limping off the floor just before halftime at Miami. He was diagnosed with a hyperextended left knee.

Denver went 10-6 in his absence.

Jokic’s presence is a boost for a Nuggets team that just lost Aaron Gordon for at least a month after the high-flying forward reinjured his right hamstring. Christian Braun (left ankle) and Cameron Johnson (right knee) remain sidelined.

“It’s great to have (Jokic) back, but let’s temper a little bit,” Adelman said before the game. “The guy’s been hurt. He’s been out. Having the best player, in my opinion, alive is a major, major thing to get back. I just want to make sure we temper the idea of what it could be like. He’s got to get out there and feel comfortable again. We all know what it is when he is comfortable. It’s something we’ve never seen.”

The knee injury interrupted one...