Nikola Jokic Suffered Elbow Injury in Warmups, Missed Nuggets' Loss to Rockets

Nikola Jokic is averaging 30.6 points, 13.2 rebounds, and 9.9 assists per game during the 2024-25 season.
Nikola Jokic is averaging 30.6 points, 13.2 rebounds, and 9.9 assists per game during the 2024-25 season. / Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

The Denver Nuggets were blown out by the Houston Rockets Wednesday night but that wasn't the worst news from the evening.

Nikola Jokic was ruled out for the game with an elbow injury shortly before tip-off. In his postgame press conference Nuggets head coach Mike Malone said the three-time NBA MVP suffered the injury in warmups. He claimed it "popped up last minute." Malone had no word on how serious the injury could be as he hadn't spoken to trainers yet.

Jokic was officially ruled out due to right elbow inflammation. He was not listed on the injury report before the game.

Without Jokic and Aaron Gordon, the Nuggets got smoked at home by the Rockets. Houston won 128-108. That's not surprising. Jokic is averaging 30.6 points, 13.2 rebounds and 9.9 assists in 36.9 minutes per game. He's also hitting 55.5% of his shots from the field and 47.1% from three-point range. There is no way to replace that production.

Denver has to be hoping whatever is wrong with Jokic's elbow isn't serious.


More of the Latest Around the NBA


Published |Modified
Ryan Phillips
RYAN PHILLIPS

Ryan Phillips is a senior writer on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. He has worked in digital media since 2009, spending eight years at The Big Lead before joining SI in 2024. Phillips also co-hosts The Assembly Call Podcast about Indiana Hoosiers basketball and previously worked at Bleacher Report. He is a proud San Diego native and a graduate of Indiana University’s journalism program.