Brian Windhorst & The Hoop Collective Jokic Injury Impact + LeBron No All-Star Selection Possible? & Knicks New Depth
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Dec 31, 2025 The discussion kicks off with the impact of Jokic's knee injury on the Nuggets and his MVP eligibility. There's a thrilling debate about LeBron potentially missing the All-Star selection for the first time in 20 years. The Knicks' newfound depth draws attention, highlighting their matchup against the Spurs while analyzing rotating injuries. The hosts dissect the new All-Star voting format and why LeBron's vote count is surprisingly low, alongside a review of international players' roles in the mix.
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Jokic Likely Out Short Term, But Timeline Varies
- Nikola Jokic's knee hyperextension likely caused a bone bruise and the Nuggets project a roughly one-month absence.
- Bone bruises vary in healing so Jokic could realistically miss six to eight weeks if teams err on the side of caution.
Jokic Absence Threatens Denver's Seeding
- The Nuggets' record suffers dramatically without Jokic, historically a roughly 29-win pace in his absences.
- Denver's current injuries to Aaron Gordon, Christian Braun and Cam Johnson compound the risk of falling toward play-in territory.
65-Game Rule Could Knock Jokic From MVP Race
- The NBA's 65-game eligibility rule can disqualify elite candidates from MVP if they miss games due to injury.
- If Jokic misses enough time to miss the All-Star break, he likely becomes ineligible despite his dominant season.