Denver Nuggets Star Nikola Jokic Leaves Game Late In First Half Against Jazz

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Denver Nuggets star and the reigning MVP Nikola Jokic left the game against the Utah Jazz late in the first half with a knee injury.

Late in the first half, Jazz big man Rudy Gobert was facing up to Nikola Jokic along the baseline. When Gobert made his move, the two hit knees and Jokic went down.

The reigning MVP laid on the ground for some time before being helped up to his feet. He gingerly walked off the floor and attempted to walk off the injury. Jokic missed the rest of the first half. TNT reported at the start of the second half that Jokic was questionable to return with a knee contusion.

Nikola Jokić has a right knee contusion and is questionable to return pic.twitter.com/Sz00kzylxW

— NBA on TNT (@NBAonTNT) October 27, 2021

Nuggets reporter Mike Singer reported that Jokic would not return to the game.

Nikola Jokic will not return tonight, I'm told.

— Mike Singer (@msinger) October 27, 2021

The Nuggets’ big man was having an outstanding performance in just 15 minutes, scoring 15 points, pulling down six rebounds and shot 8-of-9 from the floor, 3-for-3 from the three-point line and 5-of-7 from the free throw line.

The Jazz/Nuggets game can be heard on The Zone Sports Network and seen on TNT.