DENVER (AP) — Denver center Nikola Jokic left the Nuggets’ game Thursday night against Chicago with a sprained left ankle.
Jokic went down in the final minute of the first half when he drove to the basket and stepped on Jerian Grant’s foot.
Jokic hit two free throws before heading to the locker room with an obvious limp. The Nuggets said he would not return in the second half, however, after the game coach Mike Malone said this was “only a sprain” and the Nuggets are optimistic.
Further evaluation on left ankle of Denver's Nikola Jokic set for Friday, but there's cautious optimism that injury is no more than a sprain, league source tells ESPN. X-rays negative.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) December 1, 2017
Jokic leads Denver with averages of 15.9 points and 11 rebounds. He had eight points, four rebounds and four assists against the Bulls.