The NBA is living hours of uncertainty after the injury of Nikola Jokic, star center of the Denver Nuggets and one of the great candidates for the MVP award for the fourth time in his career. The player withdrew from his team’s game in Miami against the Heat due to an apparent left knee problem, and will be evaluated this Tuesday to determine the exact extent of the injury.
The incident occurred just before halftime, in a defensive action in which Jokic himself was unintentionally stepped on by teammate Spencer Jones on his left foot, causing the Serbian to twist his knee. Jokic lay on the floor with obvious signs of pain before limping off the court to the locker room.
The time of the injury and the context of the encounter
Jokic’s injury occurred when he had played just over 19 minutes and, despite this, he had already signed an outstanding performance with 21 points, 8 assists and 5 rebounds. His departure was a turning point in the game, which ended with a 147-123 victory for the Heat, with an outstanding performance by Mexican Jaime Jaquez Jr. with 20 points and 11 assists .
Nikola Jokic went down with an apparent leg injury vs. the Heat. pic.twitter.com/4kPf9HAOt8
– SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 30, 2025
The Nuggets, without the Serbian center on the court, could not compete against the scoring pace and efficiency of a Miami team that dominated by 27 points. The result and the statistics of the locals have taken a back seat to the concern for the health of one of the most decisive players in the league.
An MVP candidate with impressive numbers
Jokic’s importance to the Nuggets is indisputable. The Serbian star is averaging 29.9 points, 12.4 rebounds and 11.1 assists per game this season, with 16 triple-doubles, numbers that place him as one of the top candidates to take home the MVP title for the fourth time in his career, further cementing his NBA legacy.
Just four days ago, on Christmas Day, Jokic put on a historic performance against the Minnesota Timberwolves, scoring 56 points, 16 rebounds and 15 assists. Eighteen of those 56 points came in overtime, allowing him to break a record held by Stephen Curry.
The injury that has left the league in suspense
Jokic’s injury was immediately described as serious, although without official confirmation of its severity. Nuggets coach David Adelman himself indicated after the game that an evaluation would be done as soon as possible, although he hinted that the feelings were not positive. The left knee is especially sensitive for a player of his size and style of play, so any problem in that joint is always taken with the utmost caution.
In the coach’s words, “The NBA is like that,” referring to the unpredictable nature of these types of injuries, and he noted that Jokic himself had had horrible feelings about what had happened. This statement reflects the internal concern within the team about a possible complicated diagnosis.
Repercussions for the Denver Nuggets
Jokic’s potential absence could have a significant impact on the Denver Nuggets ‘ regular season and playoff aspirations. The team has relied heavily on his performance in key moments, and his ability to influence the game from multiple facets makes his potential departure feel like a huge loss.
Without him, other stars such as Jamal Murray, who had 20 points and 11 assists in the Miami game, will have to take on an even bigger role. But the question is whether the team will be able to sustain the competitive level without its main star, especially against high-caliber opponents.
