Three-time award winner Nikola Jokic suffers a 'gut-wrenching' injury to his knee.

Triple National Basketball Association Most Valuable Player Nikola Jokic sustained a "gut-wrenching" knee injury as the Nuggets lost 147-123 to the Miami Heat.

The Serbian center was hurt towards the end of the second quarter during an unintentional coming together with team-mate Spencer Jones.

The other player stepped on the footwear of the big man, and he promptly collapsed to the floor grabbing his knee.

The star, who is leading the NBA this season in rebounds and dimes, recorded 21 points and eight dimes in the contest before incurring the problem.

Jokic is scheduled for an scan on Tuesday to evaluate the severity of the problem.

"Right away, Jokic understood something was wrong," commented Nuggets coach Adelman.

"Injuries are part of the game. Whoever who gets hurt, that's tough to see, most notably somebody as special as he is. We'll find out more tomorrow."

"We'll move on as a team. Obviously, at this moment, I'm more worried about him personally and the disappointment of going through an event like that."