The Denver Nuggets received a much-needed dose of optimism as concerns around Nikola Jokic’s knee injury began to ease. Less than two days after a scary on-court incident, visual evidence has surfaced suggesting the situation may not be as dire as initially feared.
Video circulating on social media shows Jokic walking comfortably without a boot or crutches just forty-eight hours after the injury. For a player who was helped off the floor and later ruled out with visible pain, the footage is an encouraging sign. One medical professional, Brian Sutterer, noted that being able to bear weight so soon often points to manageable bone bruising rather than structural damage, reinforcing early optimism about his recovery.
Wow.
Big Fella moving around quite swimmingly.
Latest update NOW on @AltitudeTV pic.twitter.com/jdXcRvVWWd
— Vic Lombardi (@VicLombardi) December 31, 2025
Jokic suffered the injury on Monday against the Heat when Spencer Jones stepped on his foot, forcing his left knee to bend backward at an unnatural angle. The Nuggets later confirmed a hyperextension in the left knee, with imaging showing all major ligaments intact. Initial reports suggested Jokic would miss at least four weeks, a timeline that still stands officially, though the early mobility has opened the door to cautious reevaluation as rehab progresses.
Before the injury, Jokic was in the middle of another dominant season and firmly in the MVP conversation. Through 32 games this season, he is averaging 26.4 points, 12.2 rebounds, 11.0 assists, 1.4 steals, and 0.8 blocks per game while shooting 60.5% from the field and 43.5% from three, putting him on pace for a historic statistical year. Now, however, the injury introduces real concern regarding the league’s 65-game requirement for awards, adding pressure to his eventual return timeline if Denver wants his MVP candidacy to remain intact.
His return could not come soon enough for a Nuggets squad missing four of its five starters. Without Jokic anchoring the offense, Denver must rely more heavily on Jamal Murray’s shot creation, increased ball movement by committee, and defensive stability from role players like Peyton Watson and Bruce Brown. Staying afloat in the standings during this window will be critical, especially in a crowded Western Conference playoff race.
If Jokic can return earlier than expected, the implications would be massive for both Denver’s season and the league at large. At third in the West (22-10), an accelerated comeback for Jokic would stabilize the Nuggets quickly and preserve their championship aspirations. For now, caution remains the priority, but for the first time since the injury occurred, the outlook has shifted from fear to guarded optimism.
For Denver, the coming days will be about balance. The Nuggets have every incentive to protect their franchise cornerstone while also keeping their season on track in a loaded Western Conference. Jokic’s early progress offers reassurance, but patience will ultimately define this stretch. If Denver can weather the storm without rushing him back, the payoff could be a healthier, fresher Jokic when it matters most.
