Nuggets fans can breathe easy—Nikola Jokic’s latest injury appears to be nothing more than a minor setback.
During Denver’s 110-103 loss to the Boston Celtics on Sunday, Jokic seemed to tweak his ankle right from the opening tip-off. As he hobbled back on defense, concerns grew among fans and analysts, but the Serbian superstar powered through, delivering another near-triple-double performance.
Despite limping at times, Jokic logged 39 minutes, finishing with 20 points, 14 rebounds, and nine assists. After the game, he downplayed any concerns, offering a typically lighthearted response when asked about the injury.
“[I’ve limped for] basically the last 14 years,” Jokic joked. “It was just a little injury that I have.”
Unfortunately for Denver, Jokic wasn’t the only player banged up on Sunday. Rookie Julian Strawther suffered a leg injury in the third quarter and did not return.
Jokic has long been an iron man for the Nuggets, playing in 55 of the team’s 62 games this season. In fact, he has never played fewer than 69 games in a season over his entire career, proving time and again that he can handle the physical toll of the NBA grind.
Sunday’s game was no exception to that physicality. The Celtics bombarded him in the post all afternoon, and at one point, Jokic was even left with a bloody arm after a hard scratch. Adding to his frustrations, he didn’t attempt a single free throw for just the second time all season, despite all the contact he absorbed.
Looking ahead, there’s no indication that Jokic will be limited when the Nuggets take on the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday. The last time Sacramento visited Denver, Jokic put up a jaw-dropping 35-point, 22-rebound, 17-assist performance in a dominant Nuggets win.
If history is any indication, expect the two-time MVP to shake off this “little injury” and be ready to lead Denver once again.