Basketball fans can finally breathe a little easier.
Nikola Jokic, a three-time NBA MVP, has been diagnosed with a hyperextension in his left knee, sidelining him for a minimum of four weeks. Reports from ESPN’s Shams Charania indicate the Nuggets are relieved that something more serious hasn’t occurred.
The injury happened during a game on Monday night, where the Nuggets faced the Heat, ultimately losing 147-123.
Jokic, who is 30, left the court limping with only seconds remaining in the first half. He had already made a notable impact with 21 points, eight assists, and five rebounds in just 19 minutes before the incident. It occurred when he accidentally stepped on teammate Spencer Jones’ shoe while attempting to defend against Jaime Jax Jr. from Miami.
Falling to the ground in apparent pain, Jokic clutched his knee as the training staff helped him get back up.
After the game, Nuggets head coach David Adelman expressed concern, noting Jokic seemed to realize right away something was wrong. There will be more details available soon, but it’s undoubtedly unfortunate.
Initial speculations on the injury’s severity range from a simple bone bruise to, quite alarmingly, a torn anterior cruciate ligament. The latter would be the worst-case scenario but unfortunately can’t be ruled out.
Known for his durability, Jokic has played at least 69 games over the last eight seasons. Just last season, he made history as the third player to average a triple-double in the NBA.
Despite his recent injury, he was off to a fantastic start this season, averaging a career-high 29.9 points, with remarkable shooting efficiency—61% from the field, 44% from three, and 86% at the free-throw line. He also led the league in rebounds at 12.2 and assists at 11.
Recently, he gave an exceptional performance during a Christmas game, scoring 56 points along with 16 rebounds and 15 assists in a nail-biting overtime victory against the Timberwolves.
Losing Jokic for an extended period would be a major setback for the Nuggets, who currently hold a 22-10 record and sit as the No. 3 seed in the fiercely competitive Western Conference.
To make matters worse, Denver is already missing three starters: Aaron Gordon (hamstring), Christian Braun (ankle), and Cam Johnson (knee). Since Jokic’s exit, they’ve dropped four of their last six games, including an 84-60 loss to Miami.
