The Denver Nuggets wrapped up their four-game Eastern Conference road trip with a 110-103 loss to the Boston Celtics on Sunday. The Nuggets were hoping to build momentum, but fell short against the reigning NBA champions, who now improve to 43-18 on the season.
Nikola Jokic delivered another stellar performance, finishing just shy of a triple-double with 20 points, 14 rebounds, and nine assists while shooting 9-of-15 from the field. However, the three-time MVP dealt with an early injury scare after landing awkwardly on the opening tip-off.
He was seen limping in the first few minutes of the game but played through the discomfort, managing nine points, five rebounds, and two assists in the opening quarter alone.
Jokic has been limping throughout the 1st quarter. Looks like he got injured on the opening tip. pic.twitter.com/IROaGllHOA
— Taylor Snow (@taylorcsnow) March 2, 2025
Following the loss, Jokic was asked about the awkward landing and why he was moving around with a limp. His response was as nonchalant as ever.
“Yeah, I’ve limped basically the past 14 years,” Jokic said, via ESPN’s Tim Bontemps.
Nikola Jokic, when asked about him moving around with a limp in the first quarter after appearing to tweak something on the initial jump ball to open the game:
“Yeah, I’ve limped basically the past 14 years.”
— Tim Bontemps (@TimBontemps) March 2, 2025
The sight of Jokic limping was undoubtedly concerning for the Nuggets, a team that has already battled injuries this season, with Aaron Gordon and Jamal Murray missing extended time. The last thing Denver needs is their franchise cornerstone dealing with an injury at a critical point in the season.
Jokic remains among the favorites for this year’s MVP award, putting up historic numbers with averages of 28.9 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 10.4 assists on 57.8% shooting from the field. He ranks in the top three in points, rebounds, and assists while also placing in the top five in steals this season.
Jokić buries the top of the key triple 👌
🍿 4-point game in the 4th on ABC pic.twitter.com/TCWuUxqv3f
— NBA (@NBA) March 2, 2025
With the loss, the Nuggets drop to 39-22, remaining second in the Western Conference, a half-game game ahead of the Los Angeles Lakers, who face the Clippers on Sunday.