Nikola Jokić is still out after hyperextending his left knee back on December 29 during a road game against the Miami Heat. It happened in one of those freak moments you see sometimes – his teammate Spencer Jones accidentally stepped on his foot near the end of the first half.
The three-time MVP had to leave the game and didn’t come back for the second half.
The good news? Denver’s medical team confirmed it’s a hyperextension with a bone bruise, but no major ligament damage. That’s a huge relief for Nuggets fans who were probably holding their breath waiting for the diagnosis.
When He Might Come Back
The Nuggets said they’ll reevaluate Jokić in four weeks. That gives the medical staff time to see how his recovery is going before making any decisions about his return.
If you do the math, that puts his earliest possible return in late January.
But here’s the thing – most people around the league think Denver will probably wait a bit longer. They’re likely aiming for sometime closer to the All-Star break in mid-February at the latest. Why rush it when you’re talking about your franchise player?
League observers are calling the outlook “optimistic” since there’s no ligament damage. A torn ligament could’ve meant months on the sideline instead of weeks.
Still, losing Jokić for a month or more is pretty tough for Denver’s championship hopes this season.
How Denver’s Handling Life Without Their Star
The Nuggets have had to lean heavily on their depth and role players while Jokić recovers. They’re still sitting among the top teams in the Western Conference, which is impressive.
But let’s be real – they’ve struggled offensively at times without their centerpiece running the show.
And it’s not just Jokić who’s been out. Other starters have also missed time due to injuries, which puts even more pressure on veterans like Jamal Murray and the secondary scorers to step up.
Nuggets coach David Adelman has talked about the team’s “survival mode” mindset. The focus right now is simple: win games and stay competitive while Jokić gets his knee right.
The schedule isn’t doing them any favors either. Denver has to grind through some really tough matchups without their MVP.
The MVP Race Just Got Interesting
Jokić came into this season as one of the front-runners for NBA MVP. His numbers were elite across the board – scoring, rebounding, assists, you name it.
Missing significant time could really hurt his chances though. Most major awards require players to hit a minimum number of games played.
Fans and analysts are already expecting players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to climb up those early MVP odds while Jokić sits out.
What’s Next
The Nuggets will be watching Jokić’s progress like hawks over the next few weeks. If everything goes smoothly with his rehab and the the team stays cautious, a late-January return is still on the table.
More likely? An early-to-mid-February comeback right around the All-Star break seems like the realistic plan.
Either way, Denver gets their star back with plenty of time to build momentum heading into the playoff stretch. That’s what really matters.
