MIAMI (AP) \u2014 Denver star Nikola Jokic was having another brilliant game: 21 points, eight assists and five rebounds in the first half, with behind-the-back passes to set up scores and generally doing whatever he wanted.<\/p>\n
Then came one misstep from a teammate with about three seconds left until halftime \u2014 and now, the Nuggets wait to see how bad the news might be.<\/p>\n
Jokic limped off the court in Miami on Monday night, after appearing to hurt his left knee just before the intermission and going to the floor in obvious pain. He was not on the floor for the second half and the results of an MRI will determine what happens in the coming days and weeks.<\/p>\n
\u201cImmediately, he knew something was wrong,\u201d Nuggets coach David Adelman said after Denver\u2019s 147-123 loss. \u201cHey, this is part of the NBA. Anybody who gets hurt in this game, it\u2019s kind of gut-wrenching, especially somebody as special as he is. We\u2019ll find out more (Tuesday). We\u2019ll move on as a team. Obviously, right now, I\u2019m more concerned just about him as a person and the disappointment of going through something like that.\u201d<\/p>\n
If Jokic misses any significant time, it would be a massive blow to Denver and in some respects to the entire NBA given how he\u2019s considered one of the game\u2019s absolute superstars. Even a one-month absence would mean about 16 games, which could have a serious impact on Denver\u2019s standing in the loaded Western Conference.<\/p>\n
\u201cTonight my mind will wander,\u201d Adelman said. \u201cAnd it\u2019ll wander about what we have to do going forward if he is out for a while or for a long time.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jokic is a three-time MVP and certainly was in the early MVP conversation this season, having entered Monday averaging 29.9 points, 12.4 rebounds and 11.1 assists \u2014 well on his way to a triple-double average for the second consecutive season.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe\u2019s not just a big part of what we do, but almost everything that we do,\u201d Nuggets guard Jamal Murray said. \u201cWe just want to see him healthy and everybody in here is ready to step up.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jokic has also been remarkably durable. He has missed 36 games over the last five seasons; the Nuggets have gone 13-23 in those absences. He has played in all 32 of Denver\u2019s games this season.<\/p>\n
\u201cHoping for the best,\u201d Adelman said.<\/p>\n
Jokic was alone under the basket and appeared to step forward to help Denver\u2019s Spencer Jones defend a drive by Miami\u2019s Jaime Jaquez Jr. as time was about to expire in the second quarter. While backtracking, Jones stepped on Jokic\u2019s left foot and it seemed the center\u2019s knee buckled a bit.<\/p>\n
Jokic collapsed to the court, grabbing at the knee. He was helped to his feet, then made his way to the locker room under his own power but with a pronounced limp. He was evaluated by doctors Monday night before leaving the arena and the Nuggets were scheduled to fly to Toronto on Tuesday for a game against the Raptors on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s just part of this process,\u201d Adelman said. \u201cYou don\u2019t get definitive answers right after these things happen. I know he\u2019s an extremely special player that people want updates on right away; makes total sense to me. But we\u2019ll go through the process properly, for him and for our team.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Nuggets have dealt with some major injury issues this season and were playing Monday without three would-be starters \u2014 Christian Braun (left ankle sprain), Aaron Gordon (right hamstring strain) and Cam Johnson (right knee injury management).<\/p>\n
Denver has managed its way through those \u2014 thanks in large part to Jokic.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe things that he\u2019s doing this year,\u201d Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said before Monday\u2019s game, \u201care really remarkable.\u201d<\/p>\n
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