The excitement in the Ball Arena was palpable just three minutes into Friday’s game, and for good reason. With the short-handed Nuggets team holding an early 8-5 advantage over the Hawks, superstar Nikola Jokic made his way out of the tunnel, visibly limping, before taking a seat alongside Spencer Jones at the end of Denver's bench. This marked Jokic's first public appearance in the city since he suffered a hyperextended left knee, which also led to a bone bruise during a match against the Heat on December 29 in Miami.
Before the game, The Denver Gazette had a conversation with Nuggets coach David Adelman about Jokic’s recovery progress and current activities. However, Adelman’s response wasn’t particularly encouraging for those hoping to see Jokic back on the court soon.
“Not much,” he admitted. “It’s day-to-day in terms of his effort level. He’s lifting weights to gauge his condition. Ultimately, it’s more about how he feels the next day after exerting himself rather than how he feels during the activity itself. That post-effort assessment is critical.”
On the court before tipoff, Jokic didn’t engage in any drills. In contrast, Cam Johnson, who similarly hyperextended his right knee—resulting in a bone bruise but no ligament damage—managed a limited shooting session prior to the game.
However, it’s important to recognize that not all hyperextensions are created equal. The worst outcome for either player would have been a ligament tear, which could have sidelined them for the remainder of the season. It’s worth mentioning that Johnson's injury occurred when he landed awkwardly after jumping for a rebound, while Jokic’s injury happened when Jones inadvertently stepped on his ankle, causing an unusual inversion.
Sports medicine expert Dr. Brian Sutterer explained in a YouTube video that, "Part of the force transferred through the structures in the knee comes from the ground-reaction force. If you are running and then hyperextend your knee, there’s going to be more force acting upon the joint due to your momentum. However, since Jokic was largely stationary, this could indicate a more favorable outlook for his recovery.”
After reviewing medical scans that showed no serious damage, the Nuggets announced that Jokic will undergo another evaluation in four weeks, setting that date for January 27. This timing presents a challenge; as of Friday, Jokic had already missed six games, with the Nuggets managing a balanced record of 3-3 during that stretch. If he were to miss an additional eleven games, he would fall short of the necessary appearance threshold for Most Valuable Player or All-NBA accolades. Notably, the Nuggets have ten games scheduled between Sunday’s matchup against the Bucks at Ball Arena and the January 27 game against the Pistons.
Adelman didn’t seem optimistic about Jokic’s chances of qualifying for postseason honors this year.
“I get the 65-game eligibility rule, but it frustrates me a bit for a player who has consistently been available throughout his career,” said Adelman. “This isn’t a case of someone who frequently takes games off; he’s always been there for us.”
Jokic has proven to be one of the most reliable superstars in the NBA, having played 70 or more games in nine out of his first ten seasons. The only exception was during the 2022-23 season when a stint in the league’s health-and-safety protocols kept him out for over a week; he still managed to play 69 games that season.
“I know he’s eager to return. He’s not accustomed to being injured,” Adelman noted. “The hardest part for him is being sidelined, as he’s never been one to miss games.”
This bone bruise stands out as one of the more significant injuries of Jokic’s career thus far. Doctor Sutterer speculated that Jokic might be out for approximately six weeks, which would allow him to make a return around February 10. However, the last game before the All-Star break is set for February 11 against Memphis.
"He might surprise us by healing quicker than expected and be back sooner, but I’d recommend preparing for a typical six-week recovery," Sutterer mentioned in a subsequent video.
“Based on averages, I predict we’ll see him back in action after the All-Star break. That timeline seems reasonable for a solid recovery.”
Nevertheless, there’s nothing average about Jokic, be it his remarkable skills or his resilience. Throughout the game, he displayed no noticeable discomfort as he interacted with teammates and officials during timeouts, providing plenty of reasons for Nuggets supporters to feel hopeful.
“He’s really looking forward to getting back on the court,” Adelman remarked. “This process is new for him too.”
