Nikola Jokic suffered a hyperextension injury to his left knee during the Nuggets’ loss to Miami on Monday. Fortunately, the injury isn’t as severe as initially feared, with no ACL damage reported. However, Jokic is expected to be sidelined for a minimum of four weeks, with further evaluations to come. This development significantly impacts the Nuggets, currently on the edge of the top-four seed cutoff in the Western Conference and embroiled in a tight MVP race.
Jokic has played every game this season, but with 16 games left in the next 28 days, he could only reach up to 66 total games played. Since playing at least 65 games is a requirement for MVP eligibility, Jokic would have to make a speedy and uninterrupted return to qualify, which seems unlikely. This situation clears the path for Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) to become the clear frontrunner for a second straight MVP title, an achievement that would place him among NBA legends who have won multiple MVP awards before turning 27, such as Michael Jordan and LeBron James.
While a new surprise MVP candidate is improbable if SGA remains healthy, players like Cade Cunningham, Jalen Brunson, and Jaylen Brown—who lead top Eastern Conference teams—could gain more recognition due to Jokic’s absence. Others like Tyrese Maxey or Victor Wembanyama face challenges either due to team performance or missed games. Luka Doncic and Anthony Edwards might also emerge as contenders if their teams improve significantly.
For the Nuggets, currently third in the West but closely contested with the Rockets and Lakers, Jokic’s absence raises concerns about securing a top-six playoff seed. Although the team has shown marginal improvement without Jokic compared to previous seasons, his presence as the team’s primary offensive weapon is critical. Players like Jonas Valanciunas, Tim Hardaway Jr., Cam Johnson, Peyton Watson, Aaron Gordon, and Jamal Murray will need to elevate their game to compensate, but the team’s offensive and defensive performance without Jokic has been among the league’s worst so far.
Fan Take: Jokic’s injury shifts the MVP race dramatically and puts the Nuggets’ playoff aspirations in jeopardy, highlighting how one player’s health can alter NBA dynamics. For fans, this moment underscores the fragility of dominance in professional basketball and sets the stage for emerging stars like Gilgeous-Alexander to rise and redefine the landscape of the sport.
