The Jusuf Nurkic chants started before he could even get to the scorers table. Trail Blazers fans rose from their seats at Moda Center to welcome the big fella back to the floor.

The chants were just as loud in our NBA 2k20 game simulation as you would imagine they will be when Nurkic makes his return after games resume.

With the Trail Blazers set to host the Houston Rockets in a Sunday matineé game in what was Nurkic’s targeted return game at just 10 days under the one year mark of his broken left leg, it was time to turn to the video game.

We couldn’t let Sunday pass by without thinking and therefore watching what Nurk’s big comeback game would’ve looked like.

(GAMER NOTES: We ran the video game on the Playstation 4 with accurate rosters, current injuries included, and simulated a full basketball game between the two. We tweaked the settings to put Nurkic near a 20-minute cap as to simulate his minutes restriction, as would likely have been the case had the game actually happened.)

Portland jumped out to a quick nine-point lead behind Trevor Ariza's hot shooting.

And then, the anxious Moda Center crowd got its wish near the six minute mark of the first quarter, when Blazers head coach Terry Stotts yelled for Nurk to check in.

Nurkic didn’t even look like he needed to shake of any rust. He scored a quick five points while also making his presence known on the defensive end.

As seen in the highlight above, the crowd loved the monster blocks on Austin Rivers and James Harden, duh.

But, in the third quarter, it was as if time stood still.

The Bosnian Beast went up for a lay-in which ended up being and-one after a foul was called on Jeff Green.

He then hit the deck.

As Nurkic was lying on the court in this game simulation, I said quickly, - ‘get up big fella, you’re good.’ – That feeling of worry when watching Nurkic fall down will probably not go away for a few games when he actually does return for real.

He got up with no issues and all was well.

Portland had a 97-63 lead heading into the fourth quarter. Stotts emptied the bench early and the Blazers cruised to a 124-89 victory over the Rockets.

Nurkic finished with 15points, 14 rebounds, and 3 blocks in 22 minutes of play. He went 6-of-11 from the field and 3-of-5 from the free throw line.

Yeah, the 2k sim is not the real deal, but hearing and seeing Rip City faithful with their Jusuf Nurkic chants give you chills as you think about when the actual day comes that the Bosnian Beast returns.

Find out how Nurkic looks in his second game of the year on Tuesday when we once again use NBA 2k20 to simulate the Blazers versus Timberwolves game.