Kevin Durant has come to the defense of Nikola Jokic, the Denver Nuggets’ star center, after concerns surfaced regarding the player’s injury status. Jokic, who has secured three MVP awards during his career, is currently sidelined for at least four weeks due to an injury that has sparked discussions about his eligibility for future accolades, including the MVP award.
Durant, a prominent figure in the NBA and a standout player for the Houston Rockets, expressed his admiration for Jokic, calling him “one of the top ten players, top five players that I’ve ever seen play basketball.” The two players have faced off three times this season, with the Nuggets winning two of those matchups. Despite the victories, each game has been fiercely contested, with Jokic averaging an impressive 32.7 points, 10.7 rebounds, and eight assists per game against the Rockets.
As Jokic contended for the MVP title alongside Oklahoma City Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the recent injury raised questions about the league’s 65-game rule. This rule could potentially disqualify Jokic from MVP finalist consideration should he miss an extended period of time.
In light of Jokic’s injury, Durant voiced his concerns regarding the label of “injury-prone” that has been attached to players in the past. He emphasized that injuries can often be unavoidable and are sometimes the result of unfortunate circumstances. “One thing I don’t want to see with Nikola is like, they started calling me ‘injury prone’ after that,” Durant said. “Hopefully they don’t start with him because it’s one of those freak injuries that you can’t really control.”
Durant expressed relief upon learning that Jokic’s injury was not severe. “It was good to see it’s only four weeks and it’s not anything too big,” he noted. “It wasn’t an MCL sprain or Level 2; it felt like it was just a tweak and he’s going to be back out there soon. He’s great for the game and you want to see the best players on the floor at all times.”
The Rockets and Nuggets are set to meet again on March 11, 2024, in Denver. By that time, it is hoped that Jokic will have returned to the court, ready to showcase his exceptional skills. The anticipation surrounding his comeback highlights the impact he has on the game and the respect he commands from fellow players, including Durant. As the season progresses, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how Jokic’s recovery unfolds and what it means for both the Nuggets and the league at large.
