A game was played in Florida between the Denver Nuggets and Miami Heat, but the outcome of the game couldn’t matter less as NuggLife returned with a vengeance to the Mile High City.

Nikola Jokic’s knee buckled as Spencer Jones appeared to step on his foot with 3.1 seconds left before halftime. The MVP favorite hit the floor and immediately grabbed his knee before limping off the court in noticeable discomfort. He did not return to the game, leaving the Nuggets shell-shocked and down four starters in what has quickly turned into the road-trip from Hell.

A full game was played regardless, which you can read about below if you really care to know what else happened.

1st Quarter

The teams traded baskets with pace early. Norman Powell got off to his usual blistering start against the good guys but was matched by a Tim Hardaway Jr. three plus an and-1. By the 7-minute mark, the Heat had racked up four team fouls including 2 on Andrew Wiggins but led 15-12. The Nuggets captured the lead briefly on a lob dunk from Murray to Joker, but after a Larsson jumper and Jokic turnover led to a transition layup, the Heat regained the momentum and the lead.

The Heat’s explosive run continued into the end of the quarter. Powell added an and-1 followed by a Dru Smith trey before Nikola Jovic put on his best Nikola Jokic impression. Nikola the Lesser scored 8 unanswered to put the Heat up 36-23. A second Smith three ballooned the lead to 41-27 with under a minute left.

2nd Quarter

Murray and Hardaway stayed in to start the comeback with Val, Bruce, and Zeke. Mal scored first followed by a pair of FTs from Zeke. After a THJ jumper and Brown drive, the Nuggets cut the lead to 45-37 just 2:30 into the second frame. Bruce played with great energy, scoring three times as the offenses slowed for both teams. Jok dominated the final three minutes, making 4 shots, the final floater following a Murray three and gave the Nuggets a 2-point lead.

Then, as the Nuggets tried to close out the half with a stop, the unthinkable:

Nikola was immediately listed as “questionable” with a knee injury, but it was clear he wouldn’t be returning tonight, or, likely, anytime soon. As of writing this, the team hasn’t released more information about the injury and will undoubtedly need to wait for an MRI to rule out the worst, but Our GOAT and Savior was clearly hurting as he struggled to the locker room.

3rd Quarter

Miami shot out to a 20-6 run with Jokic’s injury clearly hanging over the team. Major shout-out to Spencer Jones who knocked down three triples in a row during a tough stretch in the middle of the quarter to keep the Nuggets in touch at 99-87. Murray and Jones then hit back-to-back triples followed by a baseline drive by Watson that cut the lead to 105-97. Miami continued to pile on points with Powell and Jovic cooking, but Murray ended the quarter with a short two, keeping the Nuggets in check (110-99).

4th Quarter

The Heat started the 4th looking to land the knockout punch on a battered but battling Nuggets squad. Jaquez Jr. and Brown traded short twos before Wiggins hit a pair of FTs then went back-to-back with Jovic from three, leading to a Nuggets timeout with 10:09 left and the Heat leading 120-101.

Denver responded with 5 quick points including a 5th three for Jones, but the shorthanded unit continued to give up easy baskets on the other end. Jaquez and Mitchell slammed the door shut with easy baskets and a technical FT, prompting Coach Adelman to sub-out the remaining rotation players.

FINAL SCORE: Nuggets 123, Heat 147, NBA Fans Everywhere 0

GAME NOTES:

  • Jokic left the game on pace for another monster triple double (21/5/8)
  • Spencer Jones went 5/5 from three despite dealing with the emotions of being involved in a freak injury
  • The Nuggets have 5 games left on their East Coast road trip with only one game against a bottom 8 team (Brooklyn Nets)