Nuggets’ Nikola Jokić reportedly out at least 4 weeks after suffering hyperextended left knee against Heat

Denver Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokić is set to miss at least the next four weeks after suffering a hyperextended left knee during Monday night’s game against the Miami Heat, according to ESPN’s Shams Charania.

Jokić exited the game late in the first half after injuring his left knee and did not return. He stepped awkwardly and his left knee buckled while standing in the paint in the final seconds. Teammate Spencer Jones stepped back on Jokić’s foot as he was trying to guard Jaime Jaquez Jr., and that’s when Jokić’s knee buckled.

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He instantly fell to the ground after the bad step and started rolling around in pain while grabbing his left knee as Kel’el Ware made an easy layup, which tied the game at the break. Jokić eventually stood up and walked to the locker room on his own, but he was limping significantly and barely put any weight on his left leg as he did so.

Jokić did not start the second half, and he was listed as questionable to return before being ruled out. He finished with 21 points, 8 assists and 5 rebounds

“This is part of the NBA. Anyone who gets hurt, it’s gut-wrenching,” said Nuggets head coach David Adelman afterward. “Especially somebody as special as he is. We’ll find out more tomorrow, and move on as a team. I’m more concerned about him as a person and the disappointment of going through something like that. It’s unfortunate, and we’re hoping for the best.”

Jokić has managed to stay relatively healthy throughout his 11-season NBA career, having played at least 69 games in every season since breaking into the league in 2015-16.

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A four-week absence could see Jokić miss at least around 16 games and return in late January.

Through 32 games the Nuggets are 22-10 and sit in third place in the Western Conference. They begin life without Jokić on Wednesday against the Toronto Raptors.

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/nba/article/nuggets-nikola-jokic-reportedly-out-at-least-4-weeks-after-suffering-hyperextended-left-knee-against-heat-163045645.html

Author : Sean Leahy,Ryan Young

Publish date : 2025-12-30 16:30:00

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