Denver Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic has declared a major personal goal for the 2026-27 NBA season: he wants to set a career high for games played. The two-time MVP, entering his 12th year, is focused on availability after a knee issue held him to just 65 appearances last season. This ambition comes as the Nuggets ride a wave of positive momentum, having closed their previous campaign with five straight wins, including a 128-118 victory over the San Antonio Spurs on April 13, 2026.
Jokic's target is straightforward. He aims to surpass his previous best for games played in a single season. The center has only hit the full 82-game mark once in his career. He's reached 80 games twice, first as a rookie and again during his initial All-Star season in 2018-19. "I played one season of 82 games. Maybe it shouldn’t be like that; maybe you need to rest a little," Jokic said. "But I think that when you’re in a certain rhythm, the game comes to you normally, and in a way you even enjoy it." He admitted that being sidelined with his knee injury made him unusually nervous, a feeling he rarely experiences.
The Nuggets' success is inextricably linked to Jokic's presence on the court. His goal for greater availability is directly connected to the team's need to bounce back from a disappointing first-round playoff exit to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Denver's offseason moves were relatively quiet, with the signing of veteran DeMar DeRozan being the headline addition alongside the departure of Peyton Watson. With the roster largely intact, Jokic's health and performance become even more important. His stat line from last season remains elite-27.7 points, 12.9 rebounds, and 10.7 assists per game-proving his MVP-caliber impact hasn't dimmed.
Denver finished the 2025-26 regular season in strong fashion. The team's recent form shows a perfect 5W-0L run, with their last result being a 128-118 win against the San Antonio Spurs on April 13. Other victories in that streak included a 127-107 triumph over the Oklahoma City Thunder on April 11 and a 136-119 win against the Memphis Grizzlies on April 9. This positive end stands in contrast to their playoff ouster, a 125-93 loss to the Thunder back on May 18, 2025.
Expectations for Jokic remain sky-high. Nobody expects him to fall out of the MVP conversation, especially after finishing second in the voting last year. The pressure isn't just about individual awards, though. It's about leading his team deeper into the postseason. At 31 years old, Jokic understands that his window for peak performance is precious. Achieving his games-played goal would give the Nuggets their best chance to compete. His unique ability to control the game with scoring, rebounding, and playmaking makes every game he plays a potential win. The Nuggets will need that consistency night after night to turn their solid regular-season finishes into another championship run.
