Jusuf Nurkić, the second year center from Bosnia, practiced on Friday and will be active for the Nuggets game on Jan. 2 against the Golden State Warriors.

It had been rumored that Denver Nuggets rookie center Jusuf Nurkić could return after offseason knee surgery on Saturday, but head coach Michael Malone cautioned that the talented young player would need to successfully complete a practice session before he would be active. The Friday practice came, Nurkić practiced, and now he will be available for the game on a minutes restriction.

Barring any morning setbacks, both Danilo Gallinari (ankle) and Jusuf Nurkic (knee) are both IN for tomorrow's game at Golden St. — Chris Dempsey (@dempseypost) January 1, 2016

Nurkić's return is a boon to a team that has been plagued by injuries all season, with almost every player having missed at least one game this year. Wilson Chandler is out for the season, Emmanuel Mudiay is out with an ankle injury, Danilo Gallinari missed time with an ankle injury ... the list goes on and on.

But the clouds of despair that accompanied the Nuggets first 33 games as they slogged to a 12-21 record have partially lifted. Nurkić is one of the team's best players, and hopefully his play is a bright spot in a season with a rebuilding theme.

Here are some demonstrations for what we are excited to see once again.