Is Nikola Jokic playing tonight against Dallas Mavericks? Latest update on 3x NBA MVP's status for NBA Cup game (Nov. 22)

Nikola Jokic will return for the Denver Nuggets for Friday's NBA Cup game against the Dallas Mavericks. The three-time NBA MVP missed the last three games, citing personal reasons. Jokic's status was game-time. The Serbian didn't practice with the team on Thursday but was back in time to join them on Friday.

The Nuggets were 1-2 in his absence, losing games against the New Orleans Pelicans and Memphis Grizzlies and winning against Memphis in a rematch on Tuesday.

The Nuggets started Dario Saric, while De'Andre Jordan received rotation minutes off the bench in Nikola Jokic's absence. Jokic will return to the starting lineup with Saric going back to the bench and Jordan going on standby as the third-string big.

Denver missed significant production from the Balkan center, who is averaging 29.7 points, 13.7 rebounds and 11.7 assists, shooting 56/56/84 splits in 10 outings and leading the MVP race.

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Nikola Jokic stats vs. Dallas Mavericks

Nikola Jokic has played 29 games against the Dallas Mavericks, averaging 18.9 ppg, 11.6 rpg and 6.7 apg. Jokic holds a 16-13 record against the Nuggets' conference rivals. He had himself a game when the teams squared off for the first time this season on Nov. 10.

Jokic dropped 37 points, 18 rebounds, 15 assists and three steals while shooting 13 of 21, including 3 of 3 from 3. He guided Denver to a 122-120 win.

The Nuggets will be glad Nikola Jokic is back after looking at the numbers he put up in their last matchup against Dallas. The Mavericks are also without their best player, Luka Doncic, so the Nuggets will have an even better chance of going up 2-0 in their season series against Dallas.

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