Miami Heat forward Norman Powell poured in 25 points to spark a second-half explosion, handing the Denver Nuggets a stunning 147-123 blowout loss on Monday night — a game that turned dark when three-time MVP Nikola Jokic limped off with a left knee injury just before halftime. Jokic had already tallied 21 points, eight assists, and five rebounds in 19 minutes when teammate Spencer Jones accidentally stepped on his foot, sending the big man to the floor in obvious pain. He never returned, and Miami capitalized with 47 third-quarter points to pull away.
The Nuggets, already missing starters Aaron Gordon, Christian Braun, and Cam Johnson, now face an anxious wait for Jokic’s MRI results on Tuesday. Denver coach David Adelman called it “gut-wrenching,” especially for a player who’s missed just 36 games over five seasons.
How the injury changed everything
Tied 63-63 at the break, the game flipped in seconds. Jokic collapsed grabbing his knee after Jones’ misstep while defending Jaime Jaquez Jr. He walked off under his own power but with a limp, ruled out for the second half.
Without their anchor, Denver crumbled:
Miami erupted for 84 second-half points.
Nikola Jovic added 22 points with five threes; Jaquez Jr. had 20.
Bam Adebayo grabbed 10 rebounds in his return from a two-game absence.
Jamal Murray scored 20 for Denver, but Spencer Jones (16 points) and Tim Hardaway Jr. (16) couldn’t stem the tide. The Heat snapped an 0-11 regular-season skid against the Nuggets, their first Miami win over Denver since 2018.
Jokic’s night before the scare
Even in limited time, Jokic dazzled — behind-the-back passes, easy buckets, total control. His line: 9-of-14 shooting, one three, and near triple-double threat before the injury hit. Teammates like Murray stressed his importance: “He’s not just a big part of what we do, but almost everything.”
Nuggets now sit at 22-10, heading to Toronto. Jokic’s durability made this absence rare — Denver is 13-23 without him historically.
Key performers in Miami’s rout
| Player | Team | Points | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Norman Powell | Heat | 25 | 4 assists, 3 threes |
| Nikola Jovic | Heat | 22 | 5 threes, 5 assists |
| Jaime Jaquez Jr. | Heat | 20 | Strong all-around |
| Jamal Murray | Nuggets | 20 | Led Denver without Jokic |
| Nikola Jokic | Nuggets | 21 | 8 ast, 5 reb before injury |
Box scores and recaps confirm Miami’s balanced attack overwhelmed a depleted Nuggets squad.
What comes next for Denver
Adelman focused on Jokic the person: “Hoping for the best.” Early reports suggest hyperextension or sprain possible, but no tears confirmed yet. The Nuggets fly to face the Raptors Wednesday — without Jokic, anything less than a win feels like damage control.
Miami improves to 18-15, showing fight despite their own inconsistencies. For Denver fans, though, it’s all about Tuesday’s MRI.
FAQs: Jokic injury and Heat-Nuggets
What happened to Nikola Jokic?
Jokic hurt his left knee late in the first half when Spencer Jones stepped on his foot. He scored 21 points before exiting and didn’t return in Miami’s 147-123 win.
Will Jokic miss time?
Denver awaits MRI results Tuesday. Coach Adelman called it serious but stressed team focus. Jokic has been ultra-durable this season, playing all 32 games.
Who led the Heat to victory?
Norman Powell (25 points), Nikola Jovic (22), and Jaime Jaquez Jr. (20) powered Miami’s 47-point third quarter after Jokic’s exit.
This loss stings for title hopefuls Denver, but Jokic’s health is the real story. Updates expected soon as the NBA world holds its breath.
Sam, a dedicated blogger, has immersed himself in the world of content creation for the past five years. His journey reflects a profound passion for storytelling and insightful commentary. Beyond the digital realm, Sam is a devoted NBA enthusiast, seamlessly blending his love for sports with his writing pursuits.