12/29/25 08:32:00
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12/29 20:30 CST Nuggets star Nikola Jokic hurts left knee, limps off court at
halftime in Miami
Nuggets star Nikola Jokic hurts left knee, limps off court at halftime in Miami
By TIM REYNOLDS
AP Basketball Writer
MIAMI (AP) --- Denver star Nikola Jokic was having another brilliant game: 21
points, eight assists and five rebounds in the first half, with behind-the-back
passes to set up scores and generally doing whatever he wanted.
Then came one misstep from a teammate with about three seconds left until
halftime --- and now, the Nuggets wait to see how bad the news might be.
Jokic limped off the court in Miami on Monday night, after appearing to hurt
his left knee just before the intermission. He was not on the floor for the
second half and the Nuggets did not immediately release any news on the
severity of the injury.
If he misses any time, it would be a massive blow to Denver. Jokic is a
three-time MVP and certainly was in the early MVP conversation this season,
having entered Monday averaging 29.9 points, 12.4 rebounds and 11.1 assists ---
well on his way to a triple-double average for the second consecutive season.
Jokic was alone under the basket and appeared to step forward to help Denver's
Spencer Jones defend a drive by Miami's Jaime Jaquez Jr. as time was about to
expire in the second quarter. While backtracking, Jones stepped on Jokic's left
foot and it seemed the center's knee buckled.
Jokic collapsed to the court, grabbing at the knee and writhing in pain. He was
helped to his feet, then made his way to the locker room under his own power.
The Nuggets have dealt with some major injury issues this season and were
playing Monday without three would-be starters --- Christian Braun (left ankle
sprain), Aaron Gordon (right hamstring strain) and Cam Johnson (right knee
injury management).
Denver has managed its way through those --- thanks in large part to Jokic.
"The things that he's doing this year," Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said before
Monday's game, "are really remarkable."
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