The Denver Nuggets announced on Tuesday that superstar big man Nikola Jokic is expected to be sidelined for a significant period after he suffered a knee injury in Monday’s 147-123 blowout loss to the Miami Heat.
Jokic was forced to exit the game in the second quarter after a collision with teammate Spencer Jones, who stepped on Jokic’s foot during a defensive play under the basket. Jokic’s knee appeared to buckle, and the three-time NBA MVP was clearly in pain as he grabbed his left knee.
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Denver’s medical staff immediately attended to Jokic on the court. He was helped to his feet, but Jokic was able to walk to the locker room under his own strength, albeit with a noticeable limp.
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) during an NBA game. © Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images
On Tuesday, the Nuggets announced that Jokic had been diagnosed with a hyperextended left knee and would be out for at least one month. This is a tough blow for Denver, currently 23-10 and third in the Western Conference, as it will now need to navigate the first month of the new year without its cornerstone superstar.
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It was Jonas Valanciunas who stepped in to replace Jokic after the latter’s injury. Valanciunas got his first start of the season on Wednesday against the Toronto Raptors. The 6-foot-11 center, however, left the contest due to a calf injury and was unable to return.
Valanciunas was having a big game prior to his premature exit. He logged 23 minutes, finishing with 17 points on 5-of-6 shooting, nine rebounds, four assists, a steal and three blocks.
On Thursday, Shams Charania of ESPN revealed that the Nuggets will also be without Valanciunas for at least one month due to a calf strain.
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“Denver Nuggets center Jonas Valanciunas will be re-evaluated in 4 weeks after sustaining a right calf strain in Wednesday’s win in Toronto, sources tell ESPN,” Charania posted on X.
As indicated in Charania’s post, this development on Valanciunas further adds to the Nuggets’ alarming injury crisis. Apart from Jokic, three other starters are on the shelf for Denver. Aaron Gordon has been sidelined with a right hamstring strain, while Christian Braun remains out due to a left ankle sprain. Cameron Johnson is also out of commission with a right knee issue
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This leaves Jamal Murray as the only remaining regular starter available, but he, too, is nursing a sprained left ankle. Murray, however, is listed as probable to play against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday.
The Nuggets have no other choice but to field a makeshift lineup in the coming weeks. With Jokic and Valanciunas sidelined, head coach David Adelman will likely turn to DaRon Holmes and Zeke Nnaji to fill the void at center.
Related: Nuggets’ David Adelman Reacts to Nikola Jokic Injury in Heat Game
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Jan 2, 2026, where it first appeared in the NBA section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.