Nikola Jokic Injury Update: Nuggets Await 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. Instead of focusing on a tight contest against the Miami Heat, attention shifted just three seconds before halftime. At that moment, Nikola Jokic, the frontrunner for this season’s MVP award, collapsed to the floor after an accidental collision with teammate Spencer Jones. While backtracking to defend a drive by Jaime Jaquez Jr., Jones stepped on Jokic’s left foot. As a result, Jokic’s knee buckled and hyperextended in a worrying motion.

A Frightening Scene on the Floor

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Nikola Jokic Knee Injury Analysis

The arena fell silent as Jokic writhed in pain and grabbed his left knee. For several seconds, no one moved. Eventually, he managed to stand and limp to the locker room under his own power.

However, the concern remained high. The Nuggets ruled him out for the second half soon after. From that point on, Denver unraveled, falling 147–123 in a blowout loss that quickly felt irrelevant.

A nervous 24-hour wait in Toronto

ince then, the Nuggets’ focus has shifted completely away from the scoreboard. Instead, the medical suite has become the center of attention. Coach David Adelman called the incident “gut-wrenching” and confirmed Jokic knew “immediately” that something was wrong.

As the team arrived in Toronto on Tuesday for Wednesday’s game against the Raptors, staff finalized 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.
The Initial Signs: Cautious optimism remains as Jokic was able to walk unassisted, though with a pronounced limp.

“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 Nuggets already face serious health problems across the roster. On Monday, Denver played without three key starters:

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

If Nikola Jokic misses extended time, Jamal Murray becomes the only remaining member of the original starting five. Murray finished Monday’s game with 20 points and 11 assists. Meanwhile, Jonas Valanciunas is expected to start at center.

Even so, replacing Jokic’s 11.1 assists per game creates a gap no single player can fill.

MVP eligibility and the 65-game rule

Before the injury, Jokic was producing a historic season. He entered Monday having played all 32 of Denver’s games. He was also nearly averaging a 30-point triple-double. Now, the NBA’s 65-game eligibility rule comes into play. To stay in contention for a record-tying fourth MVP, Jokic can miss no more than 17 games. Therefore, if the MRI reveals a multi-week injury, his status as the league’s frontrunner faces real danger.

What’s next for the Nuggets?

The Nuggets face the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday night. Whether Jokic sits on the bench or returns to Denver for rehab depends entirely on Tuesday’s MRI results. For a team sitting third in the West at 22–10, the next few hours inside a Toronto clinic may shape the entire 2025–26 season.

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.

NBA Awaits MRI Results as Nikola Jokic Faces Knee Test