Nuggets' Nikola Jokic tested positive for coronavirus in Serbia, return to U.S. delayed

Denver Nuggets All-NBA center Nikola Jokic tested positive for the coronavirus in Serbia and his return to the United States to rejoin his team is temporarily delayed, sources told ESPN on Tuesday.

Jokic, who tested positive last week and has been asymptomatic, is expected to be cleared to travel to Denver within a week, sources said.

Once Jokic arrives in Denver, league protocols require that he undergoes a cardiac screening and test negative once for the coronavirus before he can join the team in workouts. It is expected he will have two negative tests in Serbia before clearance to travel to the U.S. 

Jokic has lost 40 pounds and transformed his body during the league's hiatus for the coronavirus pandemic. This season, Jokic has averaged 20.2 points, 10.2 rebounds and 6.9 assists.

He spent time with tennis star Novak Djokovic, a Serbian countryman, at a recent event in Belgrade. Djokovic said Tuesday that he has also tested positive for the coronavirus.

The Nuggets (43-22) are the third seed in the Western Conference behind the Los Angeles Lakers and LA Clippers.

NBA teams, including the Nuggets, returned to team facilities Tuesday to begin testing protocols in advance of traveling to Orlando between July 7 and 9 to begin formal training camps.

Nuggets coach Michael Malone recently disclosed that he tested positive for the coronavirus during the league's hiatus.