Latest updates on injured NBA stars
Nikola Jokić (Denver Nuggets)
Injury: hyperextension of the left knee
Status: Out since December 29
Nikola Jokic suffered his injury on December 29 against the Miami Heat. A postponed game in Memphis may be the only thing that saves the center’s MVP credentials. With the 65-game threshold set by the NBA for players to qualify for postseason honors, Jokic can only miss three more games before falling under that number.
Denver head coach David Adelman gave a candid update on Jokić’s status before the Nuggets faced the Lakers last Tuesday (January 20).
“It’s just been an up and down process,” Adelman said via DNVR Sports. “Good days, bad days.”
The coach declined to provide more details, but his tone suggested Denver doesn’t expect Jokić to return any time soon. Jokić was considered the MVP frontrunner prior to his injury.
Giannis Antetokounmpo (Milwaukee Bucks)
Injury: Strain right calf
Status: No timetable for return
Giannis Antetokounmpo re-aggravated a calf injury during Milwaukee’s 102-100 loss to Denver. He tried to overcome the discomfort until he left the field with 34 seconds left.
“At the end I couldn’t move anymore, so I had to stop playing,” he said via NBA.com.
He added that he tried to stay grounded because of the Bucks’ position in the standings. “I don’t like to stop,” he said. “I felt like I couldn’t explode…I still felt like I could help.”
Coach Doc Rivers confirmed there is “no timetable” for his return. Milwaukee is 3-11 without Antetokounmpo this season.
Ja Morant (Memphis Grizzlies)
Injury: Sprained UCL (left elbow)
Status: Out for at least three weeks
Yes Morant injured his elbow during Wednesday’s (Jan. 21) loss to the Hawks, the latest setback in an already turbulent season for Memphis.
The two-time All-Star has played in just 20 of the team’s 43 games and is averaging 19.5 points and 8.1 assists amid continued trade speculation.
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