The Denver Nuggets have avoided a catastrophic setback after scans revealed star centre Nikola Jokić sustained a hyperextended left knee, an injury not expected to require surgery.
Timeline and Impact on the Court
The team confirmed on Tuesday that the three-time MVP will be re-evaluated in four weeks. If he misses the full month, Jokić could be sidelined for approximately 16 games, with a potential return before February's NBA All-Star Game. This is a significant blow for the Nuggets, who are already navigating absences and now face a crucial stretch without their best player.
The incident occurred with mere seconds remaining in the first half of Denver's 147-123 defeat to the Miami Heat on Monday night. Jokić, positioned under the basket, was backing up to help defend a drive when teammate Spencer Jones inadvertently stepped on his left foot. The 6ft 11in centre's knee buckled, sending him collapsing to the floor in visible pain.
Jokić's Historic Season Interrupted
The injury halts what is arguably the most efficient campaign of Jokić's illustrious career. Entering Tuesday, he was ranked fifth in the NBA in scoring (29.6 points per game) and led the entire league by averaging 12.2 rebounds and 11 assists. He is shooting a career-best 43.5% from three-point range and boasts a league-leading true shooting percentage of over 71%.
His statistical dominance places him in rare company; the only other player in NBA history to average at least 12 rebounds and 11 assists for a full season was Oscar Robertson in the 1961-62 campaign.
Nuggets' Uphill Battle Without Their Leader
Denver, currently third in the Western Conference with a 22-10 record, must now weather this storm. The team's record without Jokić over the past five seasons is a concerning 13 wins and 23 losses. With other key players like Aaron Gordon also out, maintaining their playoff positioning will be a stern test.
"Obviously, it’s part of the game," said guard Jamal Murray after Monday's loss. "But we never want to see it happen... Next man up. We’ve got to focus on what’s in here." Head coach David Adelman echoed the sentiment, emphasising the need for the team to rally and honour their absent teammates through their performance on the court.
The Nuggets continue a demanding seven-game road trip, with their next fixture against the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday. How they manage in the coming weeks will be critical to their aspirations of defending the NBA championship.
