Nikola Jokic welcomes newborn son, returns to Nuggets’ lineup for NBA Cup game

Nikola Jokic has returned to the Nuggets’ lineup after welcoming a newborn son this week with his wife, Natalija, a source told The Denver Post.

Jokic, 29, didn’t travel with the team for its recent three-game road trip, staying in Denver with his family while his wife was expecting. They also have a 3-year-old daughter, Ognjena. Jokic was made available an hour before Denver’s NBA Cup game against the Mavericks on Friday night. He did not practice on Thursday.

The Nuggets went 1-2 without the three-time MVP while Dario Saric filled in as the starting center. Aaron Gordon also missed the road trip with a calf strain and remains out.