Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic walks on the court during the first half of an NBA game against the Miami Heat. Nikola Jokic will not play when the Denver Nuggets face the Toronto Raptors on December 31, 2025. Denver ruled out its starting center after he injured his left knee in the previous game, leaving the team without its most important player to close the year.The absence of Nikola Jokic changes everything for Denver. The Nuggets are still near the top of the Western Conference standings, but without Jokic, their offense looks very different. Toronto, meanwhile, gets a rare chance to face Denver without the player who usually controls the game from start to finish.
What Happened to Nikola Jokic
Nikola Jokic hurt his knee late in the first half of Denver’s December 29 loss to the Miami Heat. As the play ended, his foot got caught with teammate Spencer Jones, forcing his left knee to bend awkwardly. He was able to walk off but was clearly uncomfortable.Follow-up tests showed no ligament damage and no major structural injury. Doctors did find a bone bruise along with the hyperextension. Denver announced Jokic will miss at least four weeks and will be re-evaluated later in January. This is the longest injury absence of his career, longer than the seven games he missed back in 2017.
Denver Nuggets’ Injury Problems vs the Toronto Raptors (December 31, 2025)
Nikola Jokic is not the only Denver Nuggets unavailable. Aaron Gordon is out with a right hamstring injury. Christian Braun is sidelined with a left ankle sprain. Cam Johnson is also out due to a knee issue. That leaves Denver Nuggets with a short rotation and limited options on both ends of the floor.Without Jokic’s averages of 29.9 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 11.1 assists, Denver’s performance drops sharply. In games he has missed over the years, the team’s net rating has fallen by more than 20 points per 100 possessions, showing how much the offense depends on him.
Murray Takes Control
With Jokic out, Jamal Murray becomes the main offensive option. Denver will rely on his scoring and playmaking to stay competitive. Head coach David Adelman said the team has to rely on depth and execution as it begins a tough seven-game road trip.
Toronto Raptors’ Opportunity
The Toronto Raptors enter the game at 20-14 and healthier than their opponent. Facing a depleted Denver lineup gives Toronto a real chance to end 2025 with a strong win, even against a team that is still viewed as a contender when healthy.For Denver, the focus now is simple: survive the next few weeks and stay in position until Jokic is ready to return.