The doctor believes the best-case scenario for Nikola Jokic is a bone bruise from a hyperextension of his left knee, while also acknowledging the possibility of a season-ending ACL injury.
Denver Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic suffered a major injury scare in a 123–147 loss to the Miami Heat on Monday night.
Jokic went down with a left knee injury in the final seconds of the first half and was visibly limping as he headed to the locker room.
He did not return after halftime and was later ruled out for the remainder of the game. The Serbian star finished with 21 points, eight assists, and five rebounds in just 19 minutes of action.
At this time, there is no certainty regarding the severity of Jokic’s injury. According to reports, he is scheduled to undergo a full examination of his left knee by Tuesday.
As the basketball world awaits positive news for the three-time NBA MVP, NFL injury expert Dr. Jesse Morse weighed in, outlining both best and worst-case scenarios.
Dr. Morse suggested that the best-case scenario would be a bone bruise caused by knee hyperextension. However, he also acknowledged the possibility of a more serious injury, including a potential ACL tear, which would be devastating for the Nuggets.
Denver is already dealing with significant injury issues, with starters Christian Braun (ankle), Aaron Gordon (hamstring), and Cam Johnson (knee) currently sidelined. A prolonged absence from Jokic would be the last thing the team needs amid its ongoing injury struggles.
Despite the adversity, the Nuggets (22–10) have enjoyed a strong start to the 2025–26 season and remain among the league’s top teams, largely due to Jokic’s dominance.
He is averaging 29.9 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 11.1 assists per game in another historic campaign.
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