It appears the Denver Nuggets have dodged a bullet with the injured left ankle of star center Nikola Jokic. Jokic is expected to miss several games with a left ankle sprain after MRI results were negative, according to ESPN.
Denver star Nikola Jokic is expected to miss several games with left ankle sprain, but MRI results were negative on Friday, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 1, 2017
Jokic rolled his ankle with under a minute left to play in the first half of the Nuggets 111-110 victory over the Chicago Bulls Thursday night. He immediately fell to the floor and began grabbing his leg in agony. Here is how Jokic hurt his ankle:
#Nuggets big man Nikola Jokic rolled his ankle and went right to the locker room after shooting his free throws…. pic.twitter.com/N52B76uYz6
— Def Pen Hoops (@DefPenHoops) December 1, 2017
Jokic was in misery following the play and based off of his immediate reaction it appeared as if the injury could have been much worse.
The Nuggets are already without Paul Millsap (wrist) and Wilson Chandler (back) has missed three of Denver’s last five games, leaving them thin in the frontcourt.
Kenneth Faried and Juancho Hernangomez have seen increased minutes in Millsap and Chandler’s absence. Mason Plumlee, Denver’s only other true center, will likely start in Jokic’s absence.