Injury or not, Nikola Jokic was always going to show up for his team. But it wasn’t his absence from the lineup that caught attention — it was his entrance at Cleveland’s Rocket Arena. The Joker won’t be suiting up in the Mile High colors against the Cavaliers tonight, yet he hardly looks sidelined. With a light bounce in his step and a smile to match, fans can’t help but feel renewed optimism about his MVP campaign.

Jokic’s scare came during the December 29 matchup against the Miami Heat. He went down with a knee injury that had everyone holding their breath as he received medical attention before heading to the locker room. Thankfully, scans showed no ACL or ligament damage — just a hyperextended left knee. The prognosis: about four weeks of rest before the reigning MVP can return to action.

However, Jokic has been trying hard to bring back some optimism to the shorthanded Nuggets and fans. He traveled with the team to Cleveland and was captured walking into the arena with Christian Braun. Braun is also sidelined with an ankle injury for the foreseeable future.

The teammates were chatting, laughing, but most of all, walking just fine. No limp, no boot, no crutches.

Watching the brutal fashion in which Jokic went down that Monday, tumbling backwards, clutching his knee and wailing in pain, was heartbreaking. The visuals were so haunting that when Victor Wembanyama had a scare with hyperextension of his knee, fans were reeling.

The very next game, the Nuggets lost their backup center, Jonas Valanciunas. The inexperienced big men like Peyton Watson are doing a great job locking the frontcourt. Yet fans are anticipating Jokic’s fourth MVP title.

Nikola Jokic’s appearance heals Nuggets Nation

Although the Nuggets have not given a clear timeline, analysts estimate Nikola Jokic could miss as many as 17 games this month. It puts his MVP eligibility in jeopardy if he doesn’t meet the 65-game criteria. That’s the last thing fans want.

But watching him arrive in Cleveland looking chippy is a sign that fans are going to take as an indication of an earlier return. “He will be back mid January. He still getting MVP lol.”

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The cynics don’t want Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to have an easy win. But Jokic’s rapid bounce-back just shows he’s built differently. “From barely walking to walking and frowning to smiling and walking, maybe he isn’t human.”

The Serbian star has not let Mile High City get too down, either. He’s taken every opportunity to assure fans through messages and gestures. This is one of them, making us wonder if the injury was that bad. “Bruh he’s walking better than before the injury…”

They’re even starting to think that doctors are exaggerating by asking, “Are we sure that he will be out for 4 weeks?” That hyperextension puts any player at risk of a ligament tear. So medical staff won’t take any chances, the same as they didn’t let Wemby return to the game, though he claims he was fine.

But we can’t totally get rid of that anxiety. The fact that he and Braun even travelled to Cleveland raised concerns. “Why isn’t he at home back in Denver resting getting treatment? What good is he in a hotel traveling sitting on the bench, not being able to play ? Let hom get some rest at home.”

Or maybe, in the moment, we were all afraid. “Seems like the injury looked so bad because it scared him more than anything. 🤷🏻‍♂️ Rest and heal up Joker. 🤞”

We can rest easy, though. The Joker is recovering well and quickly.