Nikola Jokic Knee Injury Update for Nuggets

It could wind up being one of the most impactful injuries of the 2025-26 season. Nikola Jokic will miss extended time after suffering a knee injury Monday. But this is actually good news, as there were fears of something much worse.

Just in: Denver Nuggets' Nikola Jokic has been diagnosed with a hyperextension in his left knee and will miss at least four weeks. An immense sigh of relief as tests show the three-time NBA MVP's knee ligaments are intact. pic.twitter.com/u8qLE0GDd3
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 30, 2025

Jokic has been diagnosed with a hyperextension in his left knee and will miss at least four weeks. Fortunately, there was no ligament damage, which spares the three-time MVP a season-ending injury. He limped off the court in Miami on Monday night.

Jokic has been an iron man of sorts over his illustrious 11-year career, and has consistently played 70+ games each and every season (save for a 69-game year). In 2025-26, Jokic is having an historic season, averaging a spectacular triple-double of 29.6 points, 12.2 rebounds and 11.0 assists per game.

What does Jokic's injury mean for the Nuggets in Western Conference?

He is now the fourth Nuggets starter out with injury, joining Aaron Gordon, Christian Braun and Cam Johnson out of the lineup. Nevertheless, the team is still currently in the 3-seed in the Western Conference at 22-10. But they are only three games ahead of Phoenix, which is currently seventh, and in the first Play-In spot.

Additionally, the Nuggets' record over the last five years without Jokic in the lineup is a worrisome 13-23. If they play at that pace for the next month+ while he's out, they could easily drop out of a playoff spot.