Durant issues big warning after Jokic knee hyperextension stuns
Kevin Durant, back in Brooklyn for the first time as a Rocket, voiced concern and perspective Thursday night after a freak knee injury sidelined Denver center Nikola Jokic. Durant, who was speaking after Houston’s 120-96 win over the Nets, compared Jokic’s hyperextension to injuries he’s endured when teammates fell into his legs. He warned against labeling such setbacks as anything other than unlucky, noting how quickly public perception can sour after an awkward, uncontrollable incident on the court.
Jokic suffered a left-knee hyperextension Monday in Miami when teammate Spencer Jones stepped on his foot while defending a drive by Jaime Jaquez Jr. The Nuggets said Tuesday Jokic will be reevaluated in four weeks. Durant called the initial timetable encouraging, saying it sounded like “just a tweak” rather than a more severe MCL sprain. He added that he hopes Jokic returns quickly because the three-time MVP is “great for the game” and fans want the best players on the floor.
Durant’s comments carry weight given his own history with knee injuries caused by contact from teammates and opponents. In January 2022 he sprained the medial collateral ligament in his left knee after teammate Bruce Brown fell into him, costing Durant 21 games. A year later he was hurt again on the same court when Jimmy Butler fell into his right knee; that injury preceded his eventual trade from Brooklyn to Phoenix and a lengthy absence. Durant used those experiences to emphasize how some injuries are simply “freak” events that can’t be prevented through training or conditioning alone.
While Jokic’s diagnosis of a hyperextension raises hope for a shorter recovery, the Nuggets will proceed cautiously with the four-week reevaluation. Durant’s reaction underscored both the human side of roster uncertainty and the fragility of star availability in a long season. For now, Jokic’s timeline remains guarded, and teams and fans will be watching that four-week checkpoint closely to see whether Denver can get its centerpiece back in full form.
Latest News
