All the attention on Monday night was on Denver Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic after he left the court with a left knee injury during a 147-123 loss to the Miami Heat.
Jokic exited late in the first half following accidental contact with teammate Spencer Jones, who stepped on his foot, causing the Serbian star to hyperextend his knee and collapse immediately to the floor.
The 30-year-old appeared to be in visible discomfort and did not return for the remainder of the game, sparking fears of a season-ending injury, with some concerned about the possibility of an ACL tear.
Denver later confirmed that Jokic would undergo an MRI to determine the extent of the damage. On Tuesday, the team announced that he had suffered a “left knee hyperextension injury” and would be re-evaluated in four weeks.
Nikola Jokic Injury: More Details Come to Light
Further details have been provided by ESPN’s Shams Charania during an appearance on SportsCenter.
“I’m told Nikola Jokic’s hyperextended knee also has a bone bruise, but like you said, all in all a major sigh of relief for the Nuggets,” Charania said. “Jokic has avoided season-ending injury, all of his ligaments are intact, he will be back this season. His rehab I’m told will consist of rest and treatment.”
Charania also noted that Jokic, who has played more than 69 games in every season of his career, will likely miss enough time to be ineligible for end-of-season awards due to the NBA’s 65-game threshold rule.
Jokic has been in the midst of another MVP-caliber campaign, averaging 29.9 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 11.1 assists while shooting 60.4% from the field and 44% from three-point range, further highlighting the significance of his absence for Denver.
Nuggets Set to Adjust, Awaiting Jokic’s Return
For the Nuggets, any extended absence would require significant adjustments. Head coach David Adelman emphasized that the team is taking things one day at a time as they monitor Jokic’s recovery, mindful of the impact his absence could have.
On the court, that concern is shared by Jamal Murray. With his own history of serious knee injuries, the guard knows how quickly a season, or even a career, can be derailed. Speaking to reporters in the locker room after Monday’s game, Murray addressed the situation with evident concern.
He also stated Jokic’s central role in Denver’s offense. While the Nuggets have built depth and continuity around their core, Jokic remains the engine of the team, producing historic numbers night after night and acting as the connective tissue that makes the system function.
“Obviously, he’s not just a big part of what we do, but almost everything what we do,” Murray said, via AltitudeTV. “So we just want to see him healthy for the most. We just want to see him healthy and everybody’s in here to ready to step up.”
For now, the focus for Denver is clear: monitor Jokic’s recovery, support their star, and prepare the team to step up in his absence, hoping that the hyperextension does not keep him sidelined for an extended period.
The Nuggets will continue to assess the situation carefully as they aim to navigate the rest of the season without one of the league’s most impactful players.
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