The Denver Nuggets can sigh with relief, since they avoided the worst in the case of Nikola Jokic. The Serb suffered a hyperextended left knee and will be sidelined for at least four weeks.
The team feared a major injury, such as a torn ACL, would have ended their season, but the Joker will instead be out for the next month.
“Nikola Jokic suffers from hyperextension of his left knee (…) Nikola will be re-evaluated in four weeks,” wrote the Nuggets.
Jokic suffered his knee injury in the second quarter Monday against the Miami Heat. He was alone under the basket and appeared to want to help teammate Spencer Jones defend a breakthrough by the Heat’s Jaime Jaquez. Stepping back, Jones stepped on Jokic’s left foot, and the pivot’s knee appeared to give way.
Jokic collapsed on the hardwood floor, clutching his knee and writhing in pain. We helped him get up, then he returned to the locker room on his own.
In 32 games this season, the 30-year-old is averaging 29.6 points, 12.2 rebounds and 11 assists per game. He leads the NBA in these last two chapters and is 5th in points.
