Nikola Jokić exits Monday game with left knee injury

Nikola Jokić limped off the court in Miami on Monday night after appearing to hurt his left knee just before halftime.

MIAMI (AP) — Denver star Nikola Jokić was having another brilliant game: 21 points, eight assists and five rebounds in the first half, with behind-the-back passes to set up scores and generally doing whatever he wanted.

Then came one misstep from a teammate with about three seconds left until halftime — and now, the Nuggets wait to see how bad the news might be.

Jokić limped off the court in Miami on Monday night, after appearing to hurt his left knee just before the intermission of the 147-123 loss. He was not on the floor for the second half and the Nuggets did not immediately release any news on the severity of the injury.

If he misses any time, it would be a massive blow to Denver. Jokić is a three-time MVP and certainly was in the early MVP conversation this season, having entered Monday averaging 29.9 points, 12.4 rebounds and 11.1 assists — well on his way to a triple-double average for the second consecutive season.

Jokić was alone under the basket and appeared to step forward to help Denver’s Spencer Jones defend a drive by Miami’s Jaime Jaquez Jr. as time was about to expire in the second quarter. While backtracking, Jones stepped on Jokić’s left foot and it seemed the center’s knee buckled.

Jokić collapsed to the court, grabbing at the knee and writhing in pain. He was helped to his feet, then made his way to the locker room under his own power.

The Nuggets have dealt with some major injury issues this season and were playing Monday without three would-be starters — Christian Braun (left ankle sprain), Aaron Gordon (right hamstring strain) and Cam Johnson (right knee injury management).

Denver has managed its way through those — thanks in large part to Jokić.

“The things that he’s doing this year,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said before Monday’s game, “are really remarkable.”