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Nikola Jokic’s recent injury sent shockwaves across the NBA, not only in Denver but throughout the basketball world.
As the Denver Nuggets prepare for their upcoming clash against the Cleveland Cavaliers, conversations around Jokic’s absence continue to dominate league discourse.
Now, Kevin Durant has stepped in with a pointed and timely perspective, offering clarity on the circumstances surrounding the Nuggets superstar’s setback.
Jokic, a three-time MVP and seven-time All-Star, has rarely been sidelined for extended stretches during his career. That durability is part of what has defined his dominance, making his current knee injury all the more jarring.
The injury occurred in what has since been described as an unfortunate and uncontrollable moment during Denver’s game against the Miami Heat, where Jokic hyperextended his knee.
Kevin Durant addresses Jokic’s injury narrative
Following the Houston Rockets’ 120-96 win over the Brooklyn Nets on Thursday, January 1, Durant addressed Nikola Jokic’s injury directly.
Speaking to reporters, Durant made it clear that the situation should not be misinterpreted or mislabeled, particularly given the unpredictable nature of the play that led to Jokic going down.
“One thing I don’t want to see with Nikola is like, they started calling me ‘injury prone’ after that, but hopefully they don’t start with him because it’s one of those freak injuries that you can’t really control,” Durant said. “You can do all the work you can, but somebody falls into your knee, that’s just tough.”
Kevin Durant’s comments came from a place of personal experience. A former MVP himself, Durant has faced repeated injury-related scrutiny throughout his career, often having circumstances beyond his control shape public perception.
How Nikola Jokic sustained the injury
Jokic’s injury stemmed from a fluke sequence during defensive coverage. While contesting a play involving Jaime Jaquez Jr., Jokic’s knee bent awkwardly after teammate Spencer Jones inadvertently stepped on his ankle. The result was a hyperextension that immediately raised concern on the Nuggets’ bench.
Fortunately for Denver, the outcome was not catastrophic. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, Nikola Jokic is expected to miss a minimum of four weeks.
If recovery proceeds as planned, he is projected to return in time for Denver’s final regular-season matchup against Houston on Wednesday, March 11.
Durant’s perspective carries weight
Durant’s defense of Jokic resonates strongly given his own history. He missed the entire 2019-20 season after tearing his Achilles during the NBA Finals with the Golden State Warriors.
In 2022, Durant also suffered an MCL sprain in a separate incident, reinforcing his understanding of how quickly narratives can shift after injuries.
By addressing Nikola Jokic’s situation head-on, Kevin Durant not only offered support but also reframed the conversation. As the Nuggets prepare to face Cleveland without their centerpiece, his comments serve as a reminder that durability should be judged over a career—not a single unfortunate moment.
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