The Denver Nuggets received somewhat reassuring news as their standout center, Nikola Jokic, sustained a hyperextension of his left knee and will be re-assessed in four weeks, the team announced on Tuesday. While this is a setback, it is not expected to be season-ending, nor will it require surgical intervention, offering a degree of optimism for both the player and franchise amid a challenging period.
Standing 6-foot-11, Jokic is widely regarded as one of the premier players in the NBA today. The injury occurred late in the first half of Monday night's game against the Miami Heat, where Denver ultimately fell 147-123. Entering Tuesday, Jokic ranked fifth in scoring across the league with an average of 29.6 points per game. More impressively, he leads the entire NBA in rebounds and assists, averaging 12.2 and 11 per game respectively. Such a blend of dominance has only been matched once before over a full season, by Oscar Robertson during the 1961-62 campaign.
Despite being an obvious blow to Denver's roster, which has already been depleted by the absences of key players such as Aaron Gordon, Christian Braun, and Cam Johnson, Jokic’s injury is not viewed as catastrophic. The anticipated recovery time means he would likely miss about 16 games, potentially returning before February’s NBA All-Star Game.
The specific incident took place near the end of the second quarter with Jokic positioned under the basket. Attempting to assist teammate Spencer Jones in defending against a Miami drive, Jokic stepped forward but then backtracked when Jones stepped on his left foot, causing his knee to buckle. The center collapsed, clutching his knee, and subsequently left the court under his own power, displaying a noticeable limp.
Jokic has participated in all 32 of the Nuggets’ games this season, where Denver holds a 22-10 record, placing them third in the Western Conference. Historically, the Nuggets have struggled without Jokic, holding a 13-23 record over the last five seasons when he is absent from the lineup. Consequently, his absence will undoubtedly test the team’s resilience and ability to maintain a strong playoff position, especially as they remain just three games ahead of the seventh-seeded Phoenix Suns.
Coach David Adelman emphasized the importance of collective effort and support during this period, stating, 'This is part of the NBA' and underscoring the need to honor sidelined teammates through dedicated play. He also highlighted Jokic’s continuous drive for improvement, noting that the center’s craft involves relentless pursuit of efficiency and consistency, underscoring his career-best shooting statistics this season, including a 43.5% success rate from beyond the arc and a league-leading true shooting percentage of 71%.
Beyond team implications, Jokic’s injury disrupts what may be his most outstanding season to date. Additionally, the timeline for recovery threatens his eligibility for several prestigious individual NBA honors. The league requires players to appear in at least 65 games for consideration in awards such as MVP and All-NBA selections. With the current evaluation suggesting Jokic might miss more than 17 games, his streak of being ranked first or second in MVP voting for five consecutive seasons, and seven straight All-NBA team selections, faces uncertainty.
In light of this development, odds at BetMGM Sportsbook have shifted considerably. Reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma City Thunder is now the clear favorite to win the MVP award, with next in line being Luka Doncic of the Los Angeles Lakers. Other contenders trail significantly behind.
Looking ahead, the Nuggets are scheduled to continue their seven-game road trip with five remaining contests, beginning with a visit to the Toronto Raptors. The team will need to adapt quickly and rally in Jokic’s absence to preserve their strong standing and playoff aspirations.