A Season in the Balance
The Denver Nuggets’ seven-game road trip has taken a troubling turn. After a heavy 147–123 loss to the Miami Heat on Monday night, attention has shifted away from the standings. Instead, the spotlight now rests on the left knee of Nikola Jokic, whose health could define Denver’s season.
The Injury That Changed Everything
The moment unfolded just seconds before halftime. At that point, teammate Spencer Jones accidentally stepped on Jokic’s foot. As a result, Jokic’s knee bent backward awkwardly, sending him to the floor in visible pain.
Initially, Nikola Jokic stood up and walked to the locker room without help. However, the team quickly lost optimism. Soon after, the Nuggets ruled him out for the second half. Later, the organization confirmed he would undergo an MRI on Tuesday, December 30.
Head coach David Adelman did not hide the emotional weight of the moment.
“He knew immediately something was wrong,” Adelman said. “This is the part of the NBA that sucks—especially for someone as special as he is.”
Travel to Toronto and MRI Timeline
The Nuggets arrived in Toronto early Tuesday, and Jokic is expected to have his imaging By early Tuesday, the Nuggets arrived in Toronto. Meanwhile, Jokic prepared for imaging scheduled later that day. Ultimately, the MRI will decide how the season unfolds for Denver.
In the best-case scenario, doctors find only a bone bruise or mild sprain, which would likely keep him out for one to two weeks. On the other hand, damage to the ACL, MCL, or meniscus could require months of recovery or even surgery.
Therefore, the scan represents a major turning point.
Roster at the Breaking Point
The timing could not be worse for Denver. The Nuggets are already navigating a significant injury crisis that has stripped them of their depth:
- Aaron Gordon: Sidelined with a Grade 2 hamstring strain.
- Christian Braun: Recovering from a severe ankle sprain.
- Cameron Johnson: Out with his own knee management issues.
- Tamar Bates: Sidelined with a foot injury.
If Jokic cannot play against the Toronto Raptors, Denver will lean heavily on Jamal Murray for offense. At the same time, Jonas Valanciunas is expected to start at center. Because of this, Denver’s margin for error shrinks dramatically.
The 65-Game MVP Clock
Beyond team success, individual history also hangs in the balance. Under current NBA rules, a player must appear in at least 65 games to qualify for MVP honors.
| Metric | Current Status | Threshold / Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Jokic Games Played | 32 Games | 65 Games Needed (MVP) |
| Allowable Absences | 0 Games Missed | 17 Games Remaining Buffer |
| Offensive Rating | Drops to 88.2 without Jokic | |
| Injury List | Gordon, Braun, Johnson | Returns: Jan 2026 (Est.) |
Before Monday, Jokic had not missed a single game. Now, he holds a 17-game cushion. As a result, a four-week absence would place him dangerously close to the eligibility line. For that reason, every missed game carries added weight.
What Comes Next
Finally, the Nuggets plan to release an official medical update late Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning. Until then, uncertainty surrounds both Denver and the Western Conference.
For now, the reality is simple: with Jokic healthy, the Nuggets chase a title. Without him, they may fight just to avoid the Play-In Tournament.
