At a Glance
- Nikola Jokic will miss 16 games after a hyper-extended knee.
- Injury occurred in a 147-123 loss to Miami.
- Jokic averages 29.6 PPG, 12.2 RPG, 11 APG, leading the league.
- Why it matters: Nuggets already short-handed; playoff positioning at risk.
Denver’s star center Nikola Jokic is set to be sidelined for about four weeks after a hyper-extended left knee during the first half of the 147-123 defeat to Miami. The injury will keep him out of roughly 16 games, but he is expected back before the NBA All-Star break. This comes at a time when the Nuggets are already missing several key players.
Injury Details
Nikola Jokic was alone under the basket as he stepped to help a teammate defend a drive by Miami’s Jaime Jaquez Jr. The move caused his knee to buckle, and he collapsed, grabbing the joint before being helped to his feet with a pronounced limp. The team announced the diagnosis and will re-evaluate him in four weeks.
Jamal Murray said:
> “Obviously, it’s part of the game. But we never want to see it happen. Next man up. We’ve got to focus on what’s in here.”
Impact on the Nuggets
The roster now includes only five games left on a seven-game road trip, with the next stop in Toronto. Denver is still No. 3 in the Western Conference at 22-10, but the absence of Jokic and other starters could hurt their playoff push. The team’s record without Jokic over the last five seasons is 13-23, underscoring the importance of his return.
- Nuggets are three games ahead of Phoenix, currently seventh in the conference.
- Five key players are out: Aaron Gordon, Christian Braun, Cam Johnson, and others.
- The team’s standing could shift if Jokic remains sidelined.
Jokic’s Season Highlights
Jokic has led the NBA in rebounds and assists this season, with averages of 12.2 RPG and 11 APG-the first player since Oscar Robertson to hit those marks in a full season. He is also shooting a career-best 43.5% from beyond the arc and tops the league in true shooting percentage at just over 71%.
David Adelman remarked:
> “It’s like a quest for efficiency and consistency, and I think that’s how he sees it as a craft. He’s trying to look at it as something, ‘What can I get better over the year at?’ And I think it’s been really impressive to watch him over these years, not be satisfied with it, and attack new journeys.”
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Points per game | 29.6 |
| Rebounds per game | 12.2 |
| Assists per game | 11 |
Key Takeaways
- Jokic will miss about 16 games, a four-week layoff.
- The Nuggets are already short-handed; his absence could jeopardize playoff positioning.
- Despite the injury, Jokic remains the league’s most efficient scorer with a true shooting percentage over 71%.
Denver’s next challenge is a road trip that could test the depth of a team now missing its star center. The outcome of Jokic’s recovery will be pivotal as the Nuggets aim to stay in contention for a top playoff seed.
