Kevin Durant: Don't Call Nikola Jokic Injury Prone

Merlin sees Kevin Durant defending Nikola Jokić after the Nuggets confirmed a left knee hyperextension that will sideline the three time MVP for an extended stretch. Durant urged fans not to brand Jokić "injury prone" after what he called a freak accident, saying "they started calling me 'injury prone' after that." The injury happened when teammate Spencer Jones stepped on Jokić's foot; he will be rechecked in four weeks. Merlin notes Durant speaks from experience, having survived similar knee trouble, and that Jokić was at an MVP rhythm, averaging 29.6 points, 12.2 rebounds and 11.0 assists. Denver now must lean on depth and shrewd minutes management to protect its standing while hoping this is a brief detour from Jokić's ironman reputation.