The collision that stunned Miami
The Denver Nuggets’ seven-game road trip took a devastating turn on Monday night at the Kaseya Center. What was supposed to be a standard cross-conference matchup against the Miami Heat became a nightmare scenario just three seconds before halftime. Nikola Jokic, the frontrunner for this year’s MVP award, collapsed to the hardwood after an accidental collision with his own teammate, Spencer Jones. While backtracking to defend a drive by Jaime Jaquez Jr., Jones stepped on Jokic’s left foot, causing the big man’s knee to buckle and hyperextend in a worrying fashion. The silence in the arena was deafening as Jokic writhed in pain, clutching his left knee. Although he eventually limped to the locker room under his own power, he was ruled out for the second half, and Denver subsequently crumbled in a 147-123 blowout.
A nervous 24-hour wait
The Nuggets’ immediate focus has shifted from the scoreboard to the medical suite. Coach David Adelman described the incident as “gut-wrenching,” confirming that Jokic knew “immediately” that something was wrong. As the team flew to Toronto on Tuesday morning for their Wednesday clash with the Raptors, logistical plans were finalized for Jokic to undergo a full MRI.
Diagnostic Briefing: The Toronto MRI
The Scan
Scheduled for Tuesday afternoon (US time) in Toronto. This high-resolution imaging is the gold standard for identifying soft-tissue trauma that manual physical exams might miss.
The Goal
The primary objective is to rule out structural damage to the ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) or the meniscus, which would signal a multi-month or season-ending absence.
The Initial Signs
Cautious optimism remains as Jokic was able to walk unassisted back to the locker room. While he moved with a pronounced limp, the ability to bear weight immediately following a hyperextension is often a positive clinical indicator for joint stability.
“ You don’t get definitive answers right after these things happen. We’ll go through the process properly, for him and for our team.
Denver’s depth pushed to the brink
The timing of the Nikola Jokic injury couldn’t be worse for a Denver squad already ravaged by health issues. The Nuggets were already playing without:
- Aaron Gordon (Hamstring)
- Christian Braun (Ankle)
- Cameron Johnson (Knee management)
If Jokic is forced to miss significant time, Jamal Murray—who finished Monday’s game with 20 points and 11 assists—will be tasked with carrying an almost impossible offensive burden. Jonas Valanciunas is expected to fill the starting center role, but the loss of Jokic’s 11.1 assists per game creates a hole in the system that no single player can fill.
Historic MVP run at stake
Before the injury, Jokic was arguably having the greatest individual season in NBA history. He entered Monday’s game averaging 29.9 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 11.1 assists, putting him on pace to become the first player ever to average a 30-point triple-double for an entire season.
Beyond the records, there is the 65-game rule for award eligibility. Jokic has played every one of Denver’s 32 games so far. While he has a cushion, a multi-month recovery would disqualify him from a record-tying fourth MVP trophy.
Western Conference ripple effects
Denver currently sits 3rd in a crowded Western Conference at 22-10. Historically, the Nuggets are a vastly different team without their superstar center, posting a 13-23 record when Jokic has been sidelined over the last five seasons.
With the Oklahoma City Thunder surging at the top of the standings, Denver’s ability to stay in the race for home-court advantage now rests entirely on the results of today’s medical imaging. For a team with championship aspirations, the next few hours in a Toronto clinic may be the most important of their season.
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