Nuggets to Evaluate Nikola Jokic’s Knee Again in One Week
nuggets-to-evaluate-jokic-knee-next-week
Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic is scheduled for another medical review in approximately one week as he continues to rehab a hyperextended left knee and bone bruise suffered on December 29, ESPN’s Shams Charania said Tuesday on NBA Today.
According to Charania, Jokic remains on track and has not encountered any setbacks. The two-time MVP is now in the “ramp-up” stage of his return-to-play program, but the club no longer expects him back before the end of January.
Denver has gone 9-5 without its star and sits at 31-15, tied for the Western Conference’s second-best record. The team’s strong performance has lessened any urgency to accelerate Jokic’s timeline, especially after reserve center Jonas Valanciunas strained a calf in his first start replacing Jokic.
The cautious approach could affect Jokic’s award eligibility. If he does not play by Sunday, February 1, against Oklahoma City, he will fall short of the NBA’s 65-game minimum for postseason honors—an outcome the Nuggets are reportedly willing to accept to protect his long-term health.
Before the injury, Jokic was averaging a career-high 29.6 points along with an NBA-leading 12.2 rebounds and 11.0 assists per game, shooting .605 from the field, .435 from three-point range and .853 at the foul line.
Source: Hoops Rumors
