When it comes to the Denver Nuggets, the excitement surrounding star player Nikola Jokic is palpable, especially as he makes gradual strides towards recovery from a knee injury. Just three minutes into Friday night’s game, the atmosphere at Ball Arena was electric, and there was certainly a reason for the crowd to erupt in cheers.
As the short-handed Nuggets held an early 8-5 lead against the Atlanta Hawks, fans were thrilled to see Jokic emerge from the tunnel, walking confidently without any noticeable limp. He took a seat next to teammate Spencer Jones at the end of the bench, marking his first public appearance in Denver since suffering a hyperextended left knee—accompanied by a bone bruise—during a game against the Miami Heat on December 29.
Prior to this highly anticipated moment, Nuggets coach David Adelman provided some insight into Jokic’s recovery process during an interview with The Denver Gazette. However, his comments didn’t exactly spark additional optimism. "Not much," he remarked when asked about Jokic's current capabilities. "It’s day-to-day with the effort-level stuff. He lifts to gauge where he’s at. Ultimately, it’s more about how he feels the next day rather than during the activity itself, because that is the real measure—how he feels after exerting himself and pushing his body."
Before tip-off on Friday, Jokic did not participate in any drills on the main court, while Cam Johnson, who also experienced a hyperextension of his knee but fortunately avoided ligament damage, engaged in a limited shooting workout. It’s important to note that not all hyperextension injuries are created equal. The worst possible outcome for both players could have been a ligament tear, which would have sidelined them for the entire season. Additionally, the circumstances of their injuries were quite different; Johnson's occurred as he landed awkwardly after jumping for a rebound, while Jokic's happened when Jones inadvertently stepped on his ankle, causing an unnatural twist.
According to sports medicine expert Dr. Brian Sutterer, the mechanics behind these injuries play a significant role in recovery. He explained in a YouTube video, "Part of the force transferred through the knee structures comes from ground-reaction forces. If you’re running and your momentum carries you forward during a hyperextension, there will be increased forces acting on the joint. Conversely, since Jokic was relatively stationary when the injury occurred, I view this as a positive sign for his prognosis."
After receiving clear results from medical imaging, the Nuggets announced that Jokic would undergo reevaluation in four weeks, targeting January 27 for that check-up. This timeline presents a challenge: Friday’s game marked the sixth absence for Jokic, during which the Nuggets have recorded a 3-3 win-loss record. If he is unable to return for 11 more games, he risks missing out on both the Most Valuable Player and All-NBA honors. The Nuggets have a total of ten games scheduled between their upcoming match against the Bucks and the January 27 game against the Pistons.
Coach Adelman expressed concern about Jokic’s eligibility for postseason accolades, stating, "I understand the 65-game rule, but for someone who rarely misses games throughout his career, it’s a bit frustrating. This isn’t about a player choosing to sit out; he’s always on the court."
It’s worth acknowledging Jokic’s remarkable durability; throughout his first decade in the NBA, he has played over 70 games in nine of those seasons. The only exception was last year, when health-and-safety protocols kept him out for just over a week, yet he still managed to appear in 69 games overall.
"He’s definitely feeling restless right now," said Adelman. "This is a player who has rarely faced injury before. The hardest part for him is being sidelined, especially given that he’s not accustomed to missing games."
This bone bruise stands out as the most significant injury of Jokic’s NBA journey thus far. Dr. Sutterer speculated that a typical recovery might take closer to six weeks, suggesting a potential return around February 10. However, the Nuggets’ matchup against Memphis on February 11 is the last game before the All-Star break, adding another layer of complexity to his return.
"While he might heal more quickly than expected, it’s wise to prepare for a six-week absence," Dr. Sutterer noted in a follow-up video. "My expectation is that we may see him back post-All-Star break, which would be a standard, healthy recovery timeline."
Yet, one thing is certain: nothing about Jokic is standard, whether it relates to his extraordinary skills or his resilience. Even as he walked around encouraging teammates and engaging in conversations with officials during timeouts, he displayed no visible signs of discomfort, which should certainly excite Nuggets fans.
"He’s eager to return to the game," Adelman affirmed. "It’s a journey for him as well."
But here’s where it gets controversial: with the stakes so high regarding MVP eligibility, should the focus be on individual accolades, or is the team’s success and Jokic’s health the priority? What do you think? Share your thoughts below!
