Nikola Jokić’s recent knee injury has turned the Western Conference on its head. The Denver Nuggets, heavily reliant on Jokić, might no longer be top playoff candidates — furthering the fanbase’s heartbreak with the Serbian star injured.
Of course, many analysts and fans will miss seeing Jokić on the court, even referring to him as their favorite player to watch.
What Did a Retired NBA All-Star Say About Nuggets Star Nikola Jokić’s Worrisome Knee Injury?
During the second half of their game against the Miami Heat, Jokić hurt his knee in a worrying moment.
The 30-year-old went down while clutching his knee and was ruled out of the game soon after. Fans shared their worry on social media, wondering how the team will play well without Jokić and Aaron Gordon.
In a recent NBA Showtime segment, seven-time NBA All-Star Tracy McGrady spoke of Jokić’s injury, speaking for all fans as he dissected the Nuggets center’s unexpected knee issue.
“It’s a sad day for me, because this is my favorite player to watch,” McGrady said. “If I paid money to watch a player, I’m paying money to watch Jokić.”
He went on to discuss the injury, admitting that it’s a challenging time for both the player and the team.
“This is a devastating blow to their team because you’re talking about the frontrunner for MVP…without three of their starters already, and you’re missing him. Now it’s going to put [the pressure] on Jamal Murray to do a little bit more to keep them afloat.”
According to McGrady, the Nuggets’ position in the Western Conference makes it tougher for them, especially as the playoffs approach.
“I can see this team dropping about four five slots because of where they at in the standings,” McGrady continued. “…the teams that are behind them will gain some ground.”
He added that the starters being injured does give the remaining team a chance to step up and gain some experience, even if it’s a challenging task.
Jokić’s Injury Will End His Remarkable MVP Voting Run
While he might not have won every year, Jokić ended up at the top of the voting lists.
In a recent interview, insider Tim Bontemps highlighted an interesting consequence of Jokić’s injury.
“One of many ripple effects of this Jokić injury is that he all but certainly won’t be eligible for awards voting, meaning the end of a run of five years finishing first or second in MVP voting,” Bontemps said.
Averaging 29.6 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 11 assists per game this season, Jokić was trying to take another shot at the MVP honor.
Per reports, Jokić has hyperextended his left knee and will be re-evaluated in four weeks.
The Nuggets are currently ranked third in the Western Conference with a 22-10 win-loss record.
