With a 125-124 OT win on Monday vs. the 76ers, the Nuggets are 24-12. That is the fourth-best record in the Western Conference. Denver is currently without three-time MVP Nikola Jokic.Â
On Monday, December 29, Jokic suffered a hyperextended knee vs. the Heat. After having an MRI, doctors determined that Jokic must be sidelined for at least a month. Not ideal at this point in the season for the Nuggets. Recently, Tony Jones of The Athletic shared an injury update for Jokic. He said Denver is hopeful that the 30-year-old can return by the All-Star break.
The Nuggets are trying to stay competitive without Nikola Jokic
In his professional career with the Nuggets, Nikola Jokic has quietly been an ironman. He’s never played fewer than 69 games in 10 consecutive seasons for Denver. Unfortunately, that streak will come to an end in 2025-26. Nikola Jokic suffered a hyperextended knee on December 29 vs. the Heat. Doctors determined that Denver’s three-time MVP will be out for at least four weeks. Injuries have been a major hurdle for the Nuggets this season.
Rarely have they had their full complement of players. Starters like Aaron Gordon, Christian Braun, Cam Johnson, and Nikola Jokic have all missed time. Gordon and Braun recently returned to the lineup after they each missed 10+ games. Cam Johnson is out for six weeks due to a left knee contusion. Recently, Tony Jones of The Athletic shared an injury update surrounding Nikola Jokic.
Jones noted that the Nuggets are hopeful that Nikola Jokic can return before the All-Star break. That gives Jokic just over a month and exactly 20 games to work his way back. In the four games Jokic has missed, the Nuggets are 2-2. They’ve beaten the Raptors and Sixers, but lost to the Nets and Cavaliers.
Along with Nikola Jokic out of the lineup, backup big man Jonas Valanciunas is dealing with a calf strain. Valanciunas is out for four weeks. That’s left head coach David Adelman shuffling his lineup in the front court. Players like DaRon Holmes and Zeke Nnaji are seeing increased minutes. Tony Jones noted the Nuggets are in “survival mode” until Jokic returns. Denver is not the same team when the MVP center is not on the court. It’s up to Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, and Christian Braun to keep the team competitive while Jokic and others miss time.
