Nikola Jokic’s injury changes everything: West playoff chase, MVP race, more

It sounds strange to say, but it is true: Nikola Jokic missing a month is great news for Denver.

Not great that he’s out, but great in the sense that the hypertension of his left knee that will sideline Jokic for at least the next month is the best possible outcome from what looked like a far worse injury when it happened.

Advertisement

While it may “only” be a month (although don’t be shocked if he is out through the All-Star break), Jokic’s absence is going to change things with the Nuggets, the Western Conference playoff chase, and the MVP race (it changes everything for people betting on NBA awards futures). Let’s break it all down, starting with the team itself.

How Nuggets change without Jokic

Before Monday night, the Nuggets were already dealing with a rash of injuries. Three starters were out: Aaron Gordon (hamstring strain), Christian Braun (ankle sprain) and Cam Johnson (a knee hyperextension, just like Jokic).

Despite the bad luck, the Nuggets could always rely on Jokic, one of the league’s most durable players — he had played fewer than 70 games in a season only once in his career (69 in 2022-23). He hasn’t missed more than five games in a row since the 2017-18 season.

Advertisement

Without him, Denver has to find a way to keep its head above water in a deep West. The Nuggets remain arguably the biggest threat to the Thunder in the NBA, but only if Denver enters the playoffs with everyone healthy.

Denver also needs several players to step up. For the next month at least, even more playmaking falls on the shoulders of Jamal Murray, who deserves to be a first-time All-Star this season, averaging 25.2 points and 7 assists a game, shooting 45.4% from beyond the arc. He has to be the alpha on this roster now.

Beyond Murray, this is a chance for some key guys to get paid. Peyton Watson will be a restricted free agent after this season and can make his case in the next month for a big payday. Tim Hardaway Jr. is in Denver on a minimum contract, here is his chance to prove to Denver and others that he deserves a bigger deal.

Also, Jonas Valanciunas — who was signed to back up Jokic —needs to step up and be…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/nikola-jokic-injury-changes-everything-081401101.html

Author :

Publish date : 2025-12-31 08:14:00

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.