Nikola Jokic Suffers Elbow Injury In Warmups, Misses Nuggets’ Loss To Rockets

On January 16, 2025By Littum

The Denver Nuggets were blown out by the Houston Rockets on Wednesday night, but that wasn’t the worst news of the night.

Nikola Jokic was sidelined 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 “came up at the last minute.” Malone had no word on how serious the injury might be as he had not yet spoken to trainers.

Malone has very few details on Jokic’s elbow injury — he says it appeared at the last minute. Earlier, he called tonight as a whole “disappointing”. pic.twitter.com/mhhwVfV1Fi

— Jake Shapiro (@Shapalicious) 16 January 2025

Jokic was officially ruled out due to inflammation in his right elbow. He was not listed on the pre-match injury report.

Nikola Jokic hurt his elbow while warming up tonight. He has been ruled out due to inflammation in his right elbow. The Nuggets will host the Rockets without Jokic and Aaron Gordon.

— Bennett Durando (@BennettDurando) 16 January 2025

Without Jokic and Aaron Gordon, the Nuggets were smoked at home by the Rockets. Houston won 128-108. It is not surprising. Jokic is averaging 30.6 points, 13.2 rebounds and 9.9 assists in 36.9 minutes per game. match. 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 hope that what’s wrong with Jokic’s elbow isn’t serious.