Nikola Jokic Injured, Latest Updates on Nuggets Star's Knee and Timeline to Return

The Denver Nuggets' franchise centerpiece avoided the worst-case scenario after suffering a knee injury on Monday night.

Nikola Jokić has been diagnosed with a hyperextension of his left knee and will miss at least four weeks, the team announced.

ESPN's Shams Charania reported Jokic's "knee ligaments are intact." He also added that Jokić has a bone bruise in his knee.

Jokić suffered the injury after teammate Spencer Jones stepped on his foot in Monday's matchup against the Miami Heat.

"Immediately, he knew something was wrong," Nuggets coach David Adelman said after the game, per ESPN. "Hey, this is part of the NBA. Anybody who gets hurt in this game, it's kind of gut-wrenching, especially somebody as special as he is. We'll find out more tomorrow. We'll move on as a team. Obviously, right now, I'm more concerned just about him as a person and the disappointment of going through something like that."

The three-time MVP is putting together another MVP-caliber season this year, recording the fifth-most points per game (29.9) while leading the league in rebounds (12.4) and assists (11.1). He's also having the most efficient season of his career, shooting 60.4 percent from the field and 44 percent from deep.

Last week, Jokić put together an absurd 56-point, 16-rebound, 15-assist performance against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Christmas Day. He was well on his way to a triple-double before the injury on Monday, collecting 21 points, eight assists and five rebounds in the first half.

"Tonight my mind will wander," Adelman said. "And it'll wander about what we have to do going forward if he is out for a while or for a long time."

Despite being without a handful of key players at certain times this season, the Nuggets have managed to stay afloat in the West. They're currently sitting in third place in the West at 22-9, which gives them a bit of breathing room if Jokić has to miss some time.

With Jokić out, Denver will likely turn to Jonas Valančiūnas to fill in for him at the center position. Trying to match Jokić's production will be a near-impossible task.