Report: Nikola Jokic has no structural damage in knee

Nikola Jokic went down with an apparent right knee injury on Tuesday night. Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Report: Nuggets' Nikola Jokic has no structural damage in injured knee

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 10/27/21

Denver Nuggets fans everywhere held their breaths when big man and reigning NBA Most Valuable Player Nikola Jokic went down with an apparent right knee injury late in the first half of Tuesday's 122-110 loss at the Utah Jazz.

It appears the Nuggets avoided a potential catastrophe.

According to Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN, examinations show that Jokic is dealing with a right knee contusion but fortunately has no structural damage.

Per Youngmisuk and Mike Singer of The Denver Post, Nuggets coach Michael Malone suggested after Tuesday's loss that Jokic could've played in the second half against Utah but added the center who admitted his knee felt "a little weak" is "far too important for this team for us to risk him being out there if he’s not feeling confident about it."

"What I have learned about Nikola is, if you leave it up to Nikola, he is going to play every game," Malone also said. "So sometimes I have to make decisions for him, and it makes no sense for me when he told me it feels a little weak for him to play in the second half. And that is for any player. ... It just didn't make any sense to have Nikola go out there for a second night of a back-to-back and the risk of any further damage."

Denver fell to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Monday and is now 2-2 on the young season. The Nuggets next host the Dallas Mavericks on Friday night.

According to ESPN stats, Jokic leads the Nuggets with 26.8 points, 13.5 rebounds, 4.5 assists and 2.0 steals per game. His player efficiency rating of 38.85 is good for first in all of the Association ahead of Wednesday's action.

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