A pair of behind-the-back moves proved Nikola Jokic is back to his old ways. Jokic returned to the court for the first time since suffering a bone bruise in his left knee on Dec. 29 and led the Nuggets to a 122-109 win over the Clippers on Friday at Ball Arena, while playing with a sleeve on his left leg. He joked that he sped up his return to get out of workouts with Felipe Eichenberger, Denver’s strength and conditioning coach. “There was an option of me playing with the guys five-on-five a little bit more, but my knee reacted good. I felt good,” Jokic said. “I didn’t play for a long time, but I think I stayed, somehow, in some kind of shape. “ With the Nuggets up nine in the middle of the fourth quarter, Jokic slipped the ball behind his back to get past John Collins and hit a floater over a crowd. “I was not scared to use it,” Jokic said of his knee after the longest absence of his NBA career. “I was not thinking about while I’m running, while I’m playing. I think that’s a good sign that I’m ready.” A couple of minutes later, Jokic threaded a behind-the-back bounce pass to Peyton Watson for a dunk that put Denver up 17. “Jok’s such an unselfish superstar,” Watson said. “He’s the most unselfish superstar in all of basketball. … That’s my man. Having him back, obviously, it meant the world.” Two minutes after that, Jokic was walking off the court to a standing ovation once the Nuggets had secured a win over the hottest team in the NBA. The Clippers entered Friday having won 16 of their last 19 games, including nine of the last 10. Jokic’s 31-point, 12-rebound and 5-assist performance was enough to end that streak. He made 8 of 11 shots from the field, including 2 of 3 from 3-point range. “He’s just a constant in every category, every stat,” Nuggets guard Jamal Murray said. “He’s just going at his own pace. He wanted me to keep playing my game and stay aggressive, but it’s just a different feel when he’s out there.” Jokic became the first player to post 30 points, 10 rebounds and five assists in 25 or fewer minutes. He did so on the night Ball Arena celebrated Serbian heritage, a coincidence according to Jokic. If Jokic doesn’t miss multiple games the rest of the season, he’ll be eligible for Most Valuable Player and other awards, but that was another non-factor in his return. Tim Hardaway Jr. (22), Watson (21), Murray (20) and Jonas Valanciunas (11) gave the Nuggets five scorers in double figures, while James Harden (25) and Kawhi Leonard (21) led the Clippers. The Nuggets led by four when Jokic returned to the court with eight minutes to play, and the series of behind-the-back moves made sure his return wouldn’t be spoiled by a loss. “He’s incredible,” Nuggets coach David Adelman said. “It’s special to have Jok back in all the ways that he is the best basketball player in the world.” NUGGETS 122, CLIPPERS 109 What happened: Denver turned an eight-point lead after the first quarter into a 59-50 halftime advantage. The lead grew to 12 to start the fourth, and Denver improved to 33-16 after sweeping a back-to-back set. What went right: Denver made more free throws (26) than the Clippers attempted (21). Jokic took 17 of those free throws, making 13. What went wrong: Tim Hardaway Jr. appeared to tweak an ankle after landing on Jordan Miller’s foot early in the fourth quarter. Hardaway did not return to the game but was back on Denver’s bench for the final minutes. Highlight of the night: Jamal Murray capped a 12-point third quarter by hitting a running 3-pointer just before the buzzer sounded. It was his fourth make on five attempts from 3. Up next: The Nuggets and Thunder meet for the first time this season on Sunday at Ball Arena. ...read more read less