The Denver Nuggets stayed in Florida for another road game on Monday night, this time against the Heat in Miami.

The Heat dominated the first quarter, and Nikola Jokić made a heroic push to make the game competitive before halftime. But the world stopped for Nuggets fans when he suffered a knee injury and left the game without returning.

Miami closed it out against Denver’s decimated roster, snapping an 11-game losing streak against the Nuggets.

Final score: 147-123

Nikola Jokić Injures Left Knee

Nikola Jokić crumpled to the floor after Spencer Jones stepped on his foot. His left leg appeared to hyperextend, and he was in visible pain when the staff rushed to check on him. He eventually left the floor under his own power, but not without a nasty limp.

The team initially listed Jokić as questionable to return with a left knee injury. Eventually, they ruled him out.

Denver’s season hangs in the balance while we await further news. Even if he avoids the worst-case scenario, any extended absence will leave them without four starters and their best player.

Nuggets Allow More 40-Point Quarters

The Heat scored 41 points in the first quarter, including 21 points from their bench players. They shot 63% from the field and 41.7% from deep, with eight different players scoring at least 2 points. Norman Powell, a Nuggets killer, led all players with 10. Denver trailed 41-29 after the first 12 minutes.

And that wasn’t even Miami’s best quarter. They shot the lights out in the third, knocking down nine 3-pointers and scoring an outrageous 47 points. By that point, Jokić had been ruled out, and resistance seemed futile.

Heat Double Jokić, Jokić Scores Anyway

The Heat crowded the paint and pounced whenever Jokić put the ball on the floor, sending help to force it out of his hands. Jokić still scored 8 points in the first quarter, but he had little room to breathe and shifted into playmaker mode. He recorded 6 assists in the first.

Things changed in the second quarter, when, despite Miami’s best efforts, he began to score again. He dropped 13 points in 7:31, but any excitement over the run was quickly washed away by the sight of him grabbing his left knee.

Heat Crash Offensive Glass

The Heat didn’t miss many shots on Monday night. When they did, they worked hard for second-chance points. Miami pulled down nine offensive rebounds in the first half and 15 total. Five of them belonged to Kel’el Ware. Denver just couldn’t end possessions.