Will Barton's heroics save Nuggets but concerns lie with Nikola Jokic after scary ankle injury

A Will Barton layup with three seconds remaining lifted the Denver Nuggets to a miraculous 111-110 win over the Chicago Bulls. But concerns lie with Nikola Jokic after a nerve-racking first-half injury.

With 44 seconds remaining in the second quarter, Jokic landed awkwardly on his left ankle on a drive to the basket. The 6-foot-10 center lay on the floor writhing in pain, eventually rose to his feet and began to walk off the court and towards Denver’s locker room.

Nuggets’ trainer Dan Shimensky and Richard Jefferson ran after Jokic, corralled the big man and sent him back in the direction of the free-throw line. Jokic had to attempt his two free-throws or else he wouldn’t have been allowed to re-enter the game in the second half if he was able. Jokic then walked under his own power to Denver’s X-ray room and then to their locker room where he would remain for the remainder of tonight’s game.

Here’s the video pic.twitter.com/mFOOaPXseC

— Harrison Wind (@HarrisonWind) December 1, 2017

Jokic played 16 minutes in the first half and finished with eight points, four rebounds and four assists.

The Nuggets might not have been within striking distance if it wasn’t for a compelling effort in the third quarter. Gary Harris tallied ten points on 4-5 shooting including two threes. But Denver was paced throughout tonight’s game by Barton. The sixth-man scored 12 points in the first on a perfect 4-4 shooting and had 22 at the half.

A Lauri Markkanen jumper on Jamal Murray who was guarding the big man on a switch with 54 seconds left in the fourth gave the Bulls a three-point lead. On Denver’s next possession, Will Barton was fouled on a three-point attempt and hit all three free-throws.

After a Chicago miss, it was again Barton who this time was fouled going to the hoop. Barton would hit 1-2 from the line but Kris Dunn‘s layup with 9.6 left gave the Bulls a one-point win. Barton then went to end of the floor for the game-winning layup. He finished with a career-high 37 points.

“I was telling my teammates during the last couple of possessions, give me the ball and get out of the way,” Barton said after the game.

In the first quarter, Denver let Chicago, who came into tonight’s matchup as the worst offense in the league, shoot 66 percent from the field and 7-13 from three. The Bulls scored 34 of their 68 first-half points in the paint.

Denver crawled back into the game with their third-quarter effort after a flat first half.

It’s not clear at this moment just how much time Jokic may miss with the injury.