Nikola Jokic returns to Nuggets' lineup versus Bucks

DENVER — Nuggets’ big man Nikola Jokic is back.

After missing the past three games with a left hip flexor strain, Jokic will return to Denver’s lineup Friday against the Milwaukee Bucks. Jokic will start at center but will play under a minute restriction.

“They try to tell me something about a restriction, but I didn’t hear them,” Michael Malone said. “He feels pretty good but probably no more than 25-28 minutes but we’ll kind of see what kind of personality this game takes on.”

Jokic suffered the injury on Jan. 26 against the Phoenix Suns when he came down awkwardly while defending a Devin Booker drive late in the fourth quarter. Jokic did not return to the game and while X-rays soon after came back negative, an MRI the next day revealed the strain.

Wilson Chandler will step into the starting lineup in place of Danilo Gallinari, who’s out with a left groin sprain.

“Right now my guess would be the next couple of games he’ll be out,” Malone said. “Kind of monitor his progress with his treatment on the groin. If it happens to be longer, we’re not going to rush him back. Obviously, that’s an injury that can keep on coming back if you don’t treat it the right way. We’ll be smart. Right now I don’t expect him playing in the next couple of games.”