Denver Nuggets Injury Update: Season-Altering Crisis Strikes as Nikola Jokic and 3 Other Starters Ruled Out vs. Raptors (Dec. 31)

The Denver Nuggets' nightmare deepened after Nikola Jokic went down with a brutal injury in the previous game against the Miami Heat on Monday. The scans ruled out the possibility of a severe injury as initially feared, but Jokic was ruled out for at least four weeks with a left knee hyperextension.

For the first time in his career, the Serbian superstar will miss more than seven consecutive games. He missed seven games on the trot in 2017 with an ankle sprain and never missed more than five games in a row ever since. Apart from his jaw-dropping production and numbers, Jokic's availability and durability are what made him one of the greatest to ever play the sport.

In his glittering career, Nikola Jokic has played fewer than 70 games in a season only once, which came in the 2022-23 season when he appeared in 69 contests. The three-time league MVP hasn't missed a single game this season, but his current timeline suggests that he will miss at least 15 games from hereon.

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Jokic's injury came at a time when the Nuggets were already playing without three starters. Cameron Johnson (right knee injury management), Aaron Gordon (right hamstring strain) and Christian Braun (left ankle sprain) continue to remain sidelined with their respective injuries.

The Nuggets also listed Julian Strawther on the injury report as he is dealing with illness. He is listed as probable and likely to suit up against the Raptors.

How to watch Denver Nuggets vs. Toronto Raptors?

The Denver Nuggets vs. Toronto Raptors game will take place on Wednesday at the Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario. The game will tip off at 7:30 p.m. EST (4:30 p.m. PT).

The Nuggets vs. Raptors game will be broadcast live on Altitude 2 (local) and SportsNet (local). NBA League Pass and the Fubo TV app and website (regional restrictions may apply) will carry the game for live streaming.

Edited by Atishay Jain