Inside The Heat

Nikola Jokic does not start second half against Miami Heat, status for rest of game in question

The three-time Most Valuable Player went down with an injury in the second quarter.
Alex Toledo|
Dec 29, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) drives to the basket against Miami Heat center Kel'El Ware (7) during the first quarter at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Dec 29, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) drives to the basket against Miami Heat center Kel'El Ware (7) during the first quarter at Kaseya Center. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

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Miami HeatDenver Nuggets

The Denver Nuggets have announced that center Nikola Jokic is questionable to return to Monday night's game against the Miami Heat with a left knee injury.

The second half tipped off with backup center Jonas Valaciunas in the starting lineup.

The 2023 Finals MVP found himself on the floor late in the second quarter after a teammate inadvertently stepped on his foot.

Jokic is averaging 29.9 points, 12.4 rebounds, 11.1 assists and 1.4 steals in 31 games this season.

Here's the rest of the injury report and pre-game preview:

INJURY REPORT

HEAT

Bam Adebayo: Available - Back

Tyler Herro: Out - Toe

Terry Rozier: Out - Not with team

NUGGETS

Nikola Jokic: Questionable - Knee

Cameron Johnson: Out - Knee

Aaron Gordon: Out - Hamstring

Christian Braun: Out - Ankle

Tamar Bates: Out - Foot

Game date, time and location: Monday, Dec. 29, 7:30 p.m. EST, Kaseya Center, Miami, Florida

TV: TV: FanDuel Sports Network Sun (South Florida), Altitude Sports 2 (Denver)

Radio: 104.3 FM (Miami/Ft. Lauderdale), ESPN 106.3 FM, (West Palm Beach), FOX Sports Radio 105.9 FM (Ft. Myers/Naples), 1450 AM (Suart), 97.7 FM (Florida Keys), WAQI 710 AM (Spanish-language broadcast, South Florida) Altitude Sports Radio 92.5 FM (Denver)

VITALS: The Miami Heat (17-15) and Denver Nuggets (22-9) meet for the second and final regular season matchup. Earlier this season, Denver recorded a, 122-112, win on November 5 and has now won a franchise-record 11 consecutive regular season games against Miami. The Heat are 34-42 all-time versus the Nuggets during the regular season, including 20-17 in home games and 14-25 in road games.

PROJECTED STARTERS

HEAT

G Davion Mitchell

G Norman Powell

C Kel'el Ware

F Andrew Wiggins

F Bam Adebayo

NUGGETS

G Jamal Murray

G Tim Hardaway Jr.

C Nikola Jokic

F Peyton Watson

F Spencer Jones

Betting Lines (via FanDuel Sportsbook)

Spread: Heat +2 (-110), Nuggets -2 (-110)

Moneyline: Heat +114, Nuggets -134

Total points scored: 243.5 (over -110, under -110)

QUOTABLE

Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra: “It was a great spirit. Really the last 48 hours, guys just getting lost into the teams, into the game, into the process of what was needed to win these games. They’re not thinking about anything else, there was a great clarity of mind.“

MORE MIAMI HEAT STORIES

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How the Miami Heat imposed their will in a landslide win over the Indiana Pacers

Butler and more: The 3 Heat headlines that dominated 2025

For more Miami Heat information and conversation, check out Off The Floor.

Alexander Toledo is a contributor to Miami Heat On SI and producer/co-host of the Five on the Floor podcast, covering the Heat and NBA. He can be reached at Twitter: @tropicalblanket

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Alex Toledo
ALEX TOLEDO

Alex, who was born in Miami, is also a producer, co-host and reporter for the Five on the Floor podcast. He has covered the Heat and NBA since 2019 as a season credential holder. He studied journalism at Florida International University.

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