Nikola Jokic Injury Update: Nuggets Wait for MRI Results in Toronto

Q: Is Nikola Jokic expected to return for the game in Toronto?

Unlikely. He is awaiting MRI results and the team is expected to hold him out of the Wednesday game in Toronto as a precaution.

Q: Which Nuggets player is the biggest beneficiary of Jokic's absence?

Jonas Valanciunas will see more minutes at center, while Jamal Murray will take on a much larger playmaking role.

Q: Are there any other Nuggets starters returning soon?

Yes, Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun are reportedly close to returning toward the end of Denver's current road trip in early January.

Q: How did the Nuggets perform in the second half without Jokic in Miami?

The Nuggets collapsed, allowing 84 points in the second half and losing by 24 points total.

Q: Is a 'non-contact' injury like this usually worse?

The injury was technically contact-based as his foot was stepped on, which is sometimes less severe than a spontaneous non-contact ligament tear.

The collision that stunned Miami

The Denver Nuggets’ seven-game road trip took a devastating turn on Monday night at the Kaseya Center. What began as a competitive matchup against the Miami Heat quickly changed, becoming a nightmare just three seconds before halftime. At that moment, Nikola Jokic, the frontrunner for this year’s MVP award, collapsed to the hardwood after an accidental collision with teammate Spencer Jones. While backtracking to defend a drive, Jones stepped on Jokic’s left foot. As a result, the center’s knee buckled and hyperextended in a worrying motion. The silence inside the arena was deafening as Jokic writhed in pain. Although he eventually limped to the locker room under his own power, the Nuggets ruled him out for the second half. From there, Denver crumbled in a 147–123 blowout that quickly felt secondary.

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A nervous 24-hour wait in Toronto

Since then, the Nuggets’ focus has shifted entirely from the scoreboard to the medical suite. Coach David Adelman described the moment as “gut-wrenching” and confirmed that Jokic knew “immediately” something was wrong. As the team arrived in Toronto on Tuesday for Wednesday’s clash with the Raptors, staff finalized logistical plans for Jokic’s imaging.

The Scan: A full MRI scheduled for Tuesday, December 30.
The Goal: To rule out structural damage to the ACL or meniscus.
Initial Signs: Dr. Brian Sutterer, a sports medicine expert, noted that the backward bend didn’t appear “extreme,” offering a glimmer of hope for a lower-grade hyperextension.

“You don’t get definitive answers right after these things happen,” Adelman noted. “We’ll go through the process properly, for him and for our team.”

Denver’s depth pushed to the brink

Unfortunately, the timing could not be worse. The Nikola Jokic injury lands as Denver already deals with major health issues. Before Monday, the Nuggets were already without three key starters:

Aaron Gordon (Hamstring strain)
Christian Braun (Ankle sprain)
Cameron Johnson (Knee management)

If Jokic misses significant time, Jamal Murray becomes the lone remaining member of the original starting five. Murray finished Monday’s game with 20 points and 11 assists. Meanwhile, Jonas Valanciunas is expected to fill the gap at center. Even so, replacing Jokic’s 11.1 assists per game remains impossible for any single player.

MVP eligibility and the 65-game rule

Before the injury, Jokic was in the middle of a historic season. He nearly averaged a 30-point triple-double, posting 29.9 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 11.1 assists per game. Up to Monday, he had appeared in all 32 of Denver’s games. Now, the NBA’s 65-game eligibility rule becomes a major factor. To stay in the race for a record-tying fourth MVP, Jokic can miss no more than 17 games total. Therefore, if the MRI reveals a multi-week injury, his status as the league’s frontrunner could face serious risk.

What’s next for the Nuggets?

Denver faces the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday night. Whether Jokic joins the team on the bench or returns to Denver for rehabilitation depends entirely on Tuesday’s scan results. For a team sitting third in the West at 22–10, the next few hours inside a Toronto clinic may shape the fate of the entire 2025–26 campaign.

Final Verdict: Nuggets Injury FAQ

Is Nikola Jokic expected to return for the game in Toronto? ▼

It is highly unlikely. The Nuggets play the Raptors on Wednesday, December 31 (US time), and with the MRI scheduled for late Tuesday, the team is expected to be extremely cautious. Given the “hyperextension” label and his visible limp, most analysts expect him to miss at least the Toronto matchup while awaiting the full results.

Which Nuggets player is the biggest beneficiary of Jokic’s absence? ▼

Statistically, **Jonas Valanciunas** will see a massive uptick in minutes and usage as the primary replacement at center. However, from a playmaking standpoint, **Jamal Murray** will have to transition back to a high-usage “point god” role, as the team loses the 11.1 assists per game that typically flow through Jokic.

Are there any other Nuggets starters returning soon? ▼

There is a small silver lining: Head coach David Adelman mentioned that **Aaron Gordon** and **Christian Braun** are progressing well and could potentially return toward the “back end” of this current seven-game road trip (early January). Their return would be vital if Jokic is sidelined for an extended period.

How did the Nuggets perform in the second half without Jokic in Miami? ▼

The performance was alarming for Denver fans. After being tied at 63 at halftime, the Nuggets allowed the Heat to score **84 points** in the second half. Without Jokic’s defensive positioning and offensive control, Denver was outscored by 24 points in the final 24 minutes of play.

Is a “non-contact” injury like this usually worse? ▼

While many feared a “non-contact” tear, video evidence confirmed there was actually contact—teammate Spencer Jones stepped on Jokic’s foot. This is often viewed more favorably than a true non-contact pivot, as it implies an external force caused a hyperextension rather than a spontaneous ligament failure.