Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) drives to the basket against the Miami Heat. Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Nikola Jokic injury a potentially major blow to Nuggets

By Eric Smithling | Last updated Dec 30, 2025 8:00 AM ET

The Denver Nuggets could have a big problem on their hands.

During the first half of Monday's 147-123 road loss at the Miami Heat (18-15), three-time MVP Nikola Jokic suffered a knee injury, with ESPN noting the Nuggets listed him as questionable afterward while he sat out the start of the third quarter.

Nikola Jokic injury scare a major threat to Denver Nuggets

With less than 10 seconds left in the second quarter, Heat forward Jaime Jaquez Jr. penetrated the paint while guarded by Nuggets forward Spencer Jones, who inadvertently stepped on Jokic's left foot.

Jokic's knee buckled before he fell backward. He then clutched at his knee while on the ground.

Nikola Jokic went down with an apparent leg injury vs. the Heat. pic.twitter.com/4kPf9HAOt8
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 30, 2025

Jokic hobbled off the court on his own power, but the Nuggets (22-10) will likely hold their breath until test results reveal the extent of his injury. ESPN NBA insider Shams Charania reported he'll undergo an MRI on Tuesday.

Denver can't afford to be without its star center, who's in the midst of his best season. Jokic entered Monday averaging 29.9 points, 12.4 rebounds and 11.1 assists per game. On a Christmas Day win over the Minnesota Timberwolves, he had 56 points, 16 rebounds and 15 assists, becoming just the second player in league history to have a game with at least 50 points, 15 rebounds and 15 assists, joining James Harden, who accomplished the feat on New Year's Eve 2016. (h/t Stathead)

Before exiting Monday's game, Jokic had 21 points, eight assists and five rebounds. The Heat outscored the Nuggets 84-60 in the second half with Jokic out.

Denver, which won the NBA Finals in 2023, will only be able to contend for a title this season if Jokic avoids significant injury. But if the Nuggets fail to avoid the worst-case scenario, their season may effectively already be over.

Eric Smithling

Eric Smithling is a writer based in New Orleans, LA, whose byline also appears on Athlon Sports. He has been with Yardbarker since September 2022, primarily covering the NFL and college football, but also the NBA, WNBA, men’s and women’s college basketball, NHL, tennis and golf. He holds a film studies degree from the University of New Orleans

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