The Denver Nuggets may have a giant drawback on their fingers.
In the course of the first half of Monday’s 147-123 highway loss on the Miami Warmth (18-15), three-time MVP Nikola Jokic suffered a knee harm, with ESPN noting the Nuggets listed him as questionable afterward whereas he sat out the beginning of the third quarter.
Nikola Jokic harm scare a significant risk to Denver Nuggets
With lower than 10 seconds left within the second quarter, Warmth ahead Jaime Jaquez Jr. penetrated the paint whereas guarded by Nuggets ahead Spencer Jones, who inadvertently stepped on Jokic’s left foot.
Jokic’s knee buckled earlier than he fell backward. He then clutched at his knee whereas on the bottom.
Jokic hobbled off the courtroom on his personal energy, however the Nuggets (22-10) will seemingly maintain their breath till take a look at outcomes reveal the extent of his harm. ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania reported he’ll endure an MRI on Tuesday.
Denver cannot afford to be with out its star heart, who’s within the midst of his greatest season. Jokic entered Monday averaging 29.9 factors, 12.4 rebounds and 11.1 assists per sport. On a Christmas Day win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, he had 56 factors, 16 rebounds and 15 assists, changing into simply the second participant in league historical past to have a sport with no less than 50 factors, 15 rebounds and 15 assists, becoming a member of James Harden, who completed the feat on New Yr’s Eve 2016. (h/t Stathead)
Earlier than exiting Monday’s sport, Jokic had 21 factors, eight assists and 5 rebounds. The Warmth outscored the Nuggets 84-60 within the second half with Jokic out.
Denver, which gained the NBA Finals in 2023, will solely have the ability to contend for a title this season if Jokic avoids vital harm. But when the Nuggets fail to keep away from the worst-case state of affairs, their season could successfully already be over.
