Nikola Jokic out for at least four weeks with knee injury as Nuggets suffer major blow

The Denver Nuggets have suffered a significant setback in the 2025–26 NBA season, as star center Nikola Jokic has been ruled out for at least four weeks due to a hyperextension of his left knee.

The news was first reported by NBA insider Shams Charania of ESPN on social media, who confirmed, “Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic has been diagnosed with a hyperextension in his left knee and will miss at least four weeks. An immense relief as tests show the three-time NBA MVP’s knee ligaments are intact.”

Charania added, “Jokic is in the midst of a historic campaign so far and this will be the most time he has ever missed through 11 NBA seasons, having played 69–70-plus games in all 10 previous years. Denver avoided a catastrophic injury Monday night in Miami but now is down four of five starters.”

Jokic is in the midst of a historic campaign so far and this will be the most time he has ever missed through 11 NBA seasons, having played in 69-70+ games in all 10 previous years. Denver avoided a catastrophic injury Monday night in Miami but now is down four of five starters. https://t.co/XBSPqfZDal

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) December 30, 2025

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The 30-year-old Serbian suffered the injury during Denver’s 147–123 loss to the Miami Heat at the Kaseya Center on Tuesday, December 30 (Philippine Standard Time). With six seconds left in the first half, Jokic moved to help teammate Spencer Jones defend a drive by Miami’s Jaime Jaquez Jr. As Jokic backpedaled, Jones accidentally stepped on his left foot, causing Jokic to collapse and clutch his knee. He limped off the court and did not return for the second half.

“Immediately, he knew something was wrong. This is part of the NBA. Anyone who gets hurt, it’s gut-wrenching, especially somebody as special as he is,” Denver head coach David Aldeman said. “You just have to stay with it as a team and as a group. Honestly, you support teammates who are out by honoring them when you play. So, we will move from there. This is part of the NBA.”

The timing of Jokic’s injury is particularly unfortunate, as he was enjoying one of the best seasons of his illustrious career. Entering the game, he was averaging 29.9 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 11.1 assists per game—on pace for a triple-double average for a second consecutive season. Jokic leads the NBA in rebounds and assists this year while shooting a career-best 43.5 percent from three-point range. He also recently became the first player in NBA history to record 55+ points, 15+ rebounds, and 15+ assists in a single game.

Selected 41st overall by the Nuggets in the 2014 NBA Draft, Jokic has already cemented himself as one of the greatest players in league history. He guided Denver to its first NBA championship in 2023, has won three NBA MVP awards, was named 2023 NBA Finals MVP, and has earned seven NBA All-Star selections.

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