Nuggets Face Rising Injury Concerns
The Denver Nuggets are grappling with a growing injury list.
Jonas Valanciunas, a key player for the team, sustained a right calf strain during Wednesday’s narrow victory over the Raptors. The Nuggets reported on Thursday that he will be sidelined for at least four weeks.
At 33, Valanciunas added his name to a long list of injured players when he left the court looking uncomfortable late in the third quarter.
Valanciunas commented, “I was told it was a calf strain. I don’t know how serious it is,” as Nuggets head coach David Adelman noted the ongoing challenges the team is facing. “It seems like every night someone is hurt. It’s a tough situation, but it opens up opportunities for others,” he added, trying to maintain a positive perspective.
Currently, four of Denver’s starters are out, including standout Nikola Jokic, who hyperextended his left knee during a game against the Heat and is due for a re-evaluation in about a month.
This season, Valanciunas averaged 8.5 points and 4.7 rebounds over 33 games and was expected to step into Jokic’s role until his injury. Now, the Nuggets may look to rookie Daron Holmes II or Zeke Nagy, a former first-round pick, to fill the center position temporarily.
In addition to Valanciunas and Jokic, the team is missing forwards Aaron Gordon (hamstring) and Cameron Johnson (knee), along with guard Christian Braun (ankle), all crucial parts of the lineup.
Jokic’s absence is particularly significant, especially considering he was nearly averaging 30 points per game while leading the league in rebounds and assists.
Fortunately for Denver, Jokic seems to have avoided a severe injury. There were initial concerns that he might have torn his ACL, which would have been a devastating blow to the team.
As Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, who is also on the injury report, discussed after their recent loss, “Injuries are just part of the game. It’s tough, but we have to keep our heads up and focus on the guys we have.” This mindset might be the key for the team moving forward.
