Nikola Jokić
January 2026
Jokić returned from a hyperextended left knee on a minutes restriction and produced an immediate impact in a Nuggets win over the Clippers. After missing 16 games, he posted 31 points, 12 rebounds and five assists in 25 minutes as Denver won 122-109, indicating a controlled ramp-up while restoring Denver’s primary engine.
Nikola Jokić
December 2025
Nikola Jokić left Denver’s loss in Miami after appearing to injure his left knee just before halftime, with the Nuggets providing no immediate clarity on severity. His absence would heavily impact Denver given their injury list. A teammate stepped on Jokić’s left foot in the final seconds of the second quarter and his knee appeared to buckle. He was helped up and walked to the locker room, then did not return, as Denver were already missing multiple rotation players.
Domantas Sabonis
November 2025
Sacramento center Domantas Sabonis has been ruled out with a partial meniscus tear in his left knee and will be re-evaluated in three to four weeks, a serious setback for a Kings team already sitting near the bottom of the Western Conference at 3-12. The 29-year-old former All-Star has averaged 17.2 points, 12.3 rebounds and 3.7 assists across 11 games this season, anchoring Sacramento’s offense and rebounding, and his absence will force deeper rotation minutes on a struggling roster that lacks alternative interior playmaking and reliable size.
Kelly Oubre Jr
November 2025
Philadelphia forward Kelly Oubre Jr. is expected to miss a minimum of two weeks after an MRI revealed a sprain to the lateral collateral ligament in his left knee, forcing him to pause an impressive start to the season as a key starter. Oubre hyperextended his knee against Detroit, and further tests confirmed ligament damage that now joins Joel Embiid and Paul George’s knee issues on a concerning Sixers injury list, stripping out a 16.8-point, 5.1-rebound contributor who was logging heavy minutes on the wing.
Gerard Deulofeu (Udinese)
October 2025
The forward detailed a rare post-surgical infection that destroyed knee cartilage leaving mobility severely limited and recovery prolonged since January 2023. Gradual work focuses on range of motion muscle rebuild and pain control as he pursues a return despite significant cartilage loss and repeated setbacks.
Kevon Looney (New Orleans Pelicans)
October 2025
Looney sustained a proximal tibiofibular ligament sprain in his left knee on the Australia preseason trip and will be re-evaluated in two to three weeks. Plan is to rest and light work before a surgery call. Earliest return points to late November, thinning Pelicans size at the season’s start.
