It feels like someone suddenly pushed the brakes on Nikola Jokic’s explosive 2025-26 NBA season. A left knee hypertension is all it took for the star to leave the court. Otherwise, no force in the league could’ve done that. At least not when he is averaging 29/12/11 per game.

The moment when the Joker fell on the floor in the second quarter of the Denver Nuggets vs. Miami Heat matchup on Monday, the crowd gasped. Was it another ACL injury taking another of the league’s superstars away for months?

Luckily, it wasn’t the Achilles, but a hyperextended left knee. Meanwhile, ESPN’s senior insider Shams Charania shared the details about the 30-year-old Serbian’s return timeline. The world won’t see Jokic for 4 weeks. And this is the longest he’s been away from the court since his debut in 2015. Having played 69-70+ games over the last decade, this pause is a major blow.

Now, let’s understand the aftermath of the injury. Simply put, how will the knee situation affect Nikola Jokic’s MVP candidature this season? As you know, he’s the frontrunner in the discussion, and many experts believe that the 3-time MVP was going after a fourth this time. But will that be possible?

How will the hyperextension affect Nikola Jokic’s 4th MVP dreams?

Nikola Jokic, staring at a four-week layoff with at least 18 missed appearances, throws his 2025-26 MVP chase into danger. The league requires 65 qualifying games, with minutes and narrow exceptions. Availability shapes legacy. Therefore, long absences hurt trust. Even if math survives, confidence erodes fast when reliability fades and momentum stalls.

Before the setback, Jokic ruled the race. A jaw-dropping 56 points, 16 rebounds, and 15 assists Christmas showcase against the Wolves crowned him the clear leader. MVP ladders followed. Betting lines sat between plus 120 and 175, ahead of Shai Gilgeous Alexander. And Denver thrived at 22-8.

However, missing nearly half the schedule in that span crushes rhythm and narrative. History offers no mercy. Winners rarely vanish midseason and return unchanged in voters’ minds. Durability defines value. Consequently, attention swings toward healthier names. SGA near plus 140. Luka Doncic around plus 450 to plus 600. Even with a 62-game injury cushion, perception still decides everything.

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One awkward landing flipped the plot on basketball’s most serene masterpiece. Therefore, Nikola Jokic now fights time, perception, and patience as much as defenders. The pause clouds his fourth MVP path, testing trust and durability. Meanwhile, rivals breathe opportunity. However, this chapter waits for its response.