Nikola Jokic leaves Bulls game early after coming down awkwardly on left ankle

With less than one minute remaining in the first half of Thursday’s game against the Bulls, Nuggets center Nikola Jokic drove to the basket and came down awkwardly on his left ankle. Jokic appeared to step on Jerian Grant’s foot.

Jokic was subbed out of the game immediately after sinking two free throws, which were a result of a foul on the play. He headed back to the locker room for further evaluation.

Here is a video of the injury.

Jokic was diagnosed with a left ankle sprain. He will not return in this game. He finished the first half with eight points and four assists.

X-rays were negative, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and the Nuggets are reportedly optimistic that Jokic’s injury is nothing more than a sprain. He’ll be further evaluated on Friday.