TheDenver Nuggets, suddenly, are holding their breath and hoping for the best.
Star center and three-time NBA MVPNikola Jokićsuffered an apparent left knee injury on Monday, Dec. 29 ina game against the Miami Heatafter awkwardly hyperextending it. Jokić trudged off the court with an extreme limp.
The Nuggets said he was questionable to return to the game and he was not on the floor at the start of the second half.
The injury came late in the second quarter, with just 6 seconds left to play in the period, when Jokić was defending in the paint. As he was shuffling his feet, Nuggets forward Spencer Jones was pushed backward and Jones stepped on Jokić's left foot as Jokić was planting it, causing his left knee to buckle and hyperextend backwards.
Nikola Jokic -Left Knee Hyperextension.Concern for ACL injury but often times in the NBA these hyperextensions wind up just being a sprain + bone bruise.Hopefully he avoided worst case scenario.#MileHighBasketballpic.twitter.com/SCheFd2XVL
— Jeff Mueller, PT, DPT (@jmthrivept)December 30, 2025
Jokić lay on the court in apparent discomfort and grabbed at his knee. Trainers and medical staff tended to him, before he eventually got up and left the floor.
The immediate concern is a ligament injury, which would be worst case scenario and could force Jokić to miss extended time.
Jokić is playing MVP-caliber basketball this season for Denver, averaging 29.9 points, 12.4 rebounds and 11.1 assists in 31 games this season.
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In the first half against Miami, Jokić had scored 21 points on 9-of-14 shooting, with 8 assists and 5 rebounds.
With Jokić sidelined — at least momentarily — the Nuggets currently have four of their five starters injured; Aaron Gordon (hamstring), Cameron Johnson (knee) and Christian Braun (ankle) are also out.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Nikola Jokic injury update: Denver Nuggets star hurt vs. Miami Heat
