The Denver Nuggets and their fans can exhale after receiving a relatively positive update on the condition of their superstar centre, Nikola Jokić. The three-time NBA MVP has been diagnosed with a hyperextended left knee, an injury that will sideline him for several weeks but crucially is not expected to require surgery or end his season.
Details of the Injury and Initial Prognosis
The team confirmed the diagnosis on Tuesday, stating that Jokić will be re-evaluated in four weeks. The injury occurred in the final seconds of the first half during Denver's 147-123 loss to the Miami Heat on Monday night. While backtracking on defence, teammate Spencer Jones inadvertently stepped on Jokić's left foot, causing the centre's knee to buckle. Jokić collapsed to the court, clutching his knee, but was able to walk to the locker room under his own power, albeit with a noticeable limp.
If the Serbian big man misses the full four-week evaluation period, he could be absent for approximately 16 games. However, the timeline suggests a potential return before February's NBA All-Star Game, offering a beacon of hope for the Nuggets' campaign.
The Staggering Impact of Jokić's Absence
Losing Jokić is a monumental blow for Denver, even for a limited stretch. The 6ft 11in phenom is in the midst of what may be the finest season of his illustrious career. Entering Tuesday, he ranked fifth in the NBA in scoring (29.6 points per game) and led the entire league in both rebounds (12.2) and assists (11.0) per contest. This historic stat line puts him in rarefied air; the only other player to average at least 12 rebounds and 11 assists for a full season was Oscar Robertson in 1961-62.
His efficiency is also at a career peak, shooting a personal-best 43.5% from three-point range and leading the NBA in true shooting percentage at over 71%. Nuggets coach David Adelman, speaking just hours before the injury, praised Jokić's relentless pursuit of improvement, calling it "a quest for efficiency and consistency."
Navigating a Crucial Stretch Without Their Leader
The timing of the injury is far from ideal. The Nuggets are currently third in the competitive Western Conference with a 22-10 record, a standing built with Jokić playing in all 32 games. They now face a challenging immediate future, with five games remaining on a lengthy seven-game road trip, starting with a visit to the Toronto Raptors.
Compounding the issue, Denver is already without several key rotation players, including Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun. The team's historical record without their talisman is stark: 13-23 over the past five seasons when Jokić does not play. With the Phoenix Suns lurking just three games behind in the conference standings, any significant slippage could damage Denver's prized playoff positioning.
In the immediate aftermath of the injury, guard Jamal Murray summed up the team's necessary mindset: "Next man up. We’ve got to focus on what’s in here." Coach Adelman echoed the sentiment, acknowledging the setback as an unfortunate part of the NBA grind. While the Nuggets have dodged a worst-case scenario, the coming weeks will test their depth and resilience as they strive to stay afloat until their reigning MVP can return.
