The entire NBA world is about to await the results of an MRI exam on Nikola Jokic.
The Nuggets’ superstar center, who is on the short list of MVP favorites entering the season, collapsed Monday against the Heat late in the first half.
The ugly fall for everyone concerned about the health of his kneeincluding his trainer.
“All I know is it’s just a left knee injury,” Nuggets coach David Adelman said after a 147-123 loss.
“He has to go through the process. Watching him at halftime, it looked like his feet had gotten tangled with a teammate. And immediately he knew something was wrong. That’s part of the NBA. Anyone who gets hurt in this game, it’s heartbreaking. Especially someone as special as him. We’ll know more tomorrow.”
Jokic was injured when teammate Spencer Jones stepped on his foot as the two defended a Jaime Jaquez Jr. drive to the basket with the teams tied at 62-62.
The 30-year-old was helped to his feet and then limped to the locker room.
The three-time MVP is as special as they come, having just posted the first game in NBA history with 58 points, 16 rebounds and 15 assists in a Christmas Day win over the Timberwolves.
Jokic averages 29.9 points, 12.4 rebounds and 11.1 assists per game.
“We will move forward as a team,” Adelman said. “I’m more concerned about him as a person and the disappointment of going through something like this. It’s unfortunate. Hoping for the best, just like we did with Cam (Johnson) and the other starters we lost.
“You just have to stay with that as a team and as a group. And honestly, you have to stay with that as a team and as a group because that’s how you best support your teammates who are out. By honoring them when you play. So we’ll move on. Like I said, that’s part of the NBA. It sucks, but I hope for the best tomorrow.”
The Nuggets (22-10) are third in the Western Conference as they prepare for a potential run to the NBA Finals, although those chances would take a serious hit if Jokic is lost for the season.
“Tonight my mind is going to wander,” Adelman said. “And there will be questions about what we should do in the future if he is out for a while or for a long period of time.”
The Nuggets next travel to Toronto on Wednesday night against the Raptors.
