Carmelo Anthony Sees Opportunity in Jokic’s Injury: “Chance for Others to Step Up”
Denver, CO – October 18, 2024 – Former NBA star and Denver Nuggets legend Carmelo Anthony offered a surprising perspective on the recent knee injury to reigning MVP Nikola Jokic, suggesting the setback could reveal a hidden benefit for the defending champions.
Jokic is expected to miss 3-4 weeks after suffering a lateral meniscus irritation during Tuesday’s practice, casting early uncertainty over Denver’s opening month. While the team confirmed the injury as “minor” and “manageable,” fans immediately voiced concern over the Nuggets’ prospects without their two-time MVP.
Anthony, who played seven seasons in Denver and remains close to the organization, offered a veteran’s outlook during an appearance on his podcast What’s In Your Cart?
“You never want to see a player like Nikola go down—he’s the engine of that team,” Anthony said. “But sometimes, in situations like this, you find out what you’re really made of. This is a chance for other guys to step into bigger roles, to build confidence, to show the coaching staff what they can do. When Nikola comes back, that could make the whole team deeper and more dangerous.”
Anthony specifically highlighted backup center Zeke Nnaji and second-year forward Peyton Watson as players who could benefit from increased responsibility. He also noted that point guard Jamal Murray may expand his playmaking role in Jokic’s absence.
“Jamal has carried teams before. This is his chance to remind everyone he’s a superstar in his own right,” Anthony added.
Nuggets head coach Michael Malone echoed some of Anthony’s sentiment in his press conference Wednesday, though with clear concern.
“Nikola is irreplaceable—you don’t just plug in another MVP,” Malone stated. “But Carmelo’s right about one thing: adversity reveals character. We’ll need everyone to raise their level. How we respond to this will define our early season.”
The Nuggets open their season next Wednesday against the Utah Jazz. Denver’s schedule through mid-November features several challenging matchups, including games against Phoenix, Boston, and the Clippers.
Sports medicine specialist Dr. Elena Rodriguez, who is not involved in Jokic’s treatment, noted that meniscus irritation is typically a short-term issue if managed properly.
“With modern treatment protocols, players often return at full strength from this type of injury,” Rodriguez said. “The risk is usually in rushing back, but a 3-4 week timeline suggests they’re being appropriately cautious.”
Fan reaction to Anthony’s comments has been mixed. While some appreciate the long-view optimism, others on social media criticized the take as overly simplistic.
“Try telling Nuggets fans there’s a ‘silver lining’ to Jokic being out,” tweeted longtime fan account @MileHighBball. “We remember the pre-Jokic years. There’s no silver lining.”
Anthony concluded his comments by reaffirming his confidence in Denver’s championship core.
“They’ve got the culture, the coaching, and the talent to weather this,” he said. “Sometimes being forced to adapt early makes you better in the long run. Watch.”
The Nuggets will monitor Jokic’s progress weekly, with the next update expected before opening night.
