Nikola Jokic Suffered Elbow Injury in Warmups, Missed Nuggets' Loss to Rockets

The Denver Nuggets were blown out by the Houston Rockets Wednesday night but that wasn't the worst news from the evening.

Nikola Jokic was ruled out for the game 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 "popped up last minute." Malone had no word on how serious the injury could be as he hadn't spoken to trainers yet.

Malone has very few details on Jokic’s elbow injury—he says it did pop up last minute. Earlier he called tonight as a whole “disappointing.” pic.twitter.com/mhhwVfV1Fi
— Jake Shapiro (@Shapalicious) January 16, 2025

Jokic was officially ruled out due to right elbow inflammation. He was not listed on the injury report before the game.

Nikola Jokic hurt his elbow while warming up tonight. He has been ruled out due to right elbow inflammation. Nuggets will host the Rockets without Jokic and Aaron Gordon.
— Bennett Durando (@BennettDurando) January 16, 2025

Without Jokic and Aaron Gordon, the Nuggets got smoked at home by the Rockets. Houston won 128-108. That's not surprising. Jokic is averaging 30.6 points, 13.2 rebounds and 9.9 assists in 36.9 minutes per game. 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 be hoping whatever is wrong with Jokic's elbow isn't serious.