The Denver Nuggets fell short against the Boston Celtics on Sunday night, dropping a 110-103 decision in a hard-fought battle at TD Garden. Reigning Finals MVP Nikola Jokic once again put up an all-around performance with 20 points, 14 rebounds, nine assists and two steals. However, an early scare had Nuggets fans on edge, as Jokic appeared to be limping just moments after the opening tipoff.
Jokic seemed to tweak something on the initial jump ball and was seen favoring his leg in the first few minutes. Despite the discomfort, the Serbian superstar carried on in typical fashion, racking up nine points, five rebounds and two assists in the first quarter alone.
Nikola Jokic dribbles down the court against Al Horford at TD Garden.
Paul Rutherford-Imagn Images
His ability to play through pain was evident, but it was his postgame reaction that stole the spotlight.
When asked by ESPN’s Tim Bontemps about his noticeable limp, Jokic delivered a vintage, deadpan response: “Yeah, I’ve limped basically the past 14 years.”
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
While his comment drew laughs, the sight of Jokic hobbling was a genuine concern for a Nuggets team already battling injuries. Denver has been without key contributors Aaron Gordon and Jamal Murray for stretches this season, and losing their franchise cornerstone at this stage would be a brutal setback.
Luckily for Nuggets fans, Jokic has not been given an injury designation following the loss, and he is expected to suit up for their next game against the Sacramento Kings.
Jokic continues to strengthen his MVP case, averaging 29.1 points, 12.7 rebounds and 10.5 assists while ranking among the league leaders in multiple categories. His lighthearted reaction to the injury scare is just another reminder of his resilience—and why Denver’s title hopes still rest squarely on his shoulders.