The NBA world has regularly watched Nikola Jokic suit up for the Denver Nuggets. In almost every game, the Serbian big man takes the lead, charges down on his rivals, and simply destroys them. Triple-doubles feel like child’s play for the Joker. However, for the next 4 weeks, we’ll have to wait to see the magic happen all over again.

On Monday, Jokic left the Kaseya Center with a left knee hyperextension. At first, many feared the worst, thinking it was an ACL injury. But no, the league just got lucky not to have lost another of its mega stars to the ominous fate. Now, ESPN’s Shams Charania has given further updates about the 30-year-old center on SportsCenter. And to be honest, there seems to be light at the end of the dark tunnel.

“Jokic has avoided a season-ending injury,” Charania reported. “All of his ligaments are intact, and he will be back this season. He’s going to be reevaluated after one month. His rehab, I’m told, will consist of rest and treatment.”

Jokic was having an explosive 2025-26 regular season, averaging 29/12/11 per game. He was leading the MVP conversation by a long stretch. And maybe, who knows, he could have won his fourth one this season… However, the injury has now put those dreams on the shelf. And here’s why.

Can Nikola Jokic still become the MVP after he comes back in a month?

Nikola Jokic has played 69 or more games in all his prior seasons. That’s 10 seasons of relentless durability!

“He likely will not be eligible for awards this season,” Shams Charania further informed. “That includes MVP and All-NBA teams. Because of that 65-game threshold and the time that he’s set to miss over the next month.”

Jokic now faces a month on the sidelines, with roughly 18 games slipping away and his 2025-26 MVP pursuit wobbling. The NBA demands 65 appearances with strict minute rules.

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Meanwhile, the award conversation keeps moving. History shows voters rarely forget long disappearances. Durability still sells value. As a result, healthier contenders steal the spotlight. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander sits near -430. Luka Doncic floats between +450 and +600. Even with a 62-game buffer, perception remains king.

Someone who has been as fit as Jokic could make an early return as well. So now, the basketball world holds its breath as the Joker steps away, briefly silenced but far from finished.

The Nuggets, though, are heavily impacted by this. They’re now down four of five starters in the short term. Jokic joined an already long list of Aaron Gordon (hamstring), Christian Braun (ankle), and Cameron Johnson (knee), who were already missing out. The team is only three games clear of the play-in spots in the standings, and they’re only two games into a brutal stretch of seven away games as of writing.