Did Nikola Jokic tear his ACL? MRI results reveal injury update Nuggets fans wanted

Jeremy Beren

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Did Nikola Jokic tear his ACL? MRI results reveal injury update Nuggets fans wanted image

Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

The Denver Nuggets organization has been holding its breath in the hours since superstar center Nikola Jokic suffered a left knee injury in the second quarter of a 147-123 loss to the Miami Heat on Monday.

Jokic exited the game after teammate Spencer Jones backed into him during a defensive possession. After the unfortunate collision, Jokic buckled and fell to the court, the three-time NBA MVP grabbing his left knee as he lay on the hardwood for several minutes.

MORE: Nikola Jokic injury update: Nuggets center leaves game vs. Heat with apparent knee injury

Jokic on Tuesday morning underwent an MRI that confirmed a hyperextension of his left knee. He is set to miss about a month, in a development that will allow Nuggets fans to breathe a sigh of relief.

Jokic's has long been famed for his durability. Since he entered the NBA in 2015, Jokic never has played fewer than 69 games; this season, the 30-year-old is on pace to lead the league in total assists for the first time.

Though this injury will keep Jokic off the court for some time, the alternative -- an ACL tear -- would have ended his season.

In the short-term though, the injury-wracked Nuggets now are down four starters. In addition to Jokic, Denver has been without Christian Braun (ankle) and Aaron Gordon (hamstring) during its current seven-game road trip. Forward Cameron Johnson (knee contusion) is out for at least the next four weeks.

Fortunately, Braun and Gordon are expected to return in the next week as the Nuggets' road trip continues. Denver remains firmly in the Western Conference playoff picture with a 22-10 record, just one game behind the San Antonio Spurs for the second-best record in the conference.

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Contributing Writer