The Denver Nuggets are facing a growing list of injuries.
Center Jonas Valanciunas is set to be out for a minimum of four weeks after he sustained a right calf strain during the Nuggets’ narrow 106-103 victory against the Toronto Raptors on Wednesday, as announced by the team on Thursday.
The 33-year-old Valanciunas had to leave the game limping late in the third quarter, adding to the Nuggets’ already extensive injury roster.
“They’ve diagnosed it as a calf strain. I’m unsure about the severity,” Nuggets head coach David Adelman shared with BasketNews. “This is becoming a regular occurrence for us. It feels like every game, someone ends up with an issue. The positive side is that it opens up opportunities for others, and that’s our mindset moving forward.”
Currently, four starters, including the three-time MVP Nikola Jokic, are out of action. Jokic sustained a hyperextended left knee during Monday’s defeat to the Miami Heat and will be reassessed in approximately four weeks.
Valanciunas, who has been averaging 8.5 points and 4.7 rebounds across 33 games this season for Denver, was anticipated to fill in for Jokic before his own injury occurred.
With both Jokic and Valanciunas hurt, the Nuggets will likely turn to rookie big man DaRon Holmes II or 2020 first-round pick Zeke Nnaji to fill the center position in the meantime.
The Nuggets are also without forwards Aaron Gordon (hamstring) and Cameron Johnson (knee), as well as guard Christian Braun (ankle) — all of whom are mainstays in Denver’s starting lineup.
Jokic, who was averaging nearly 30 points while leading the NBA in rebounds and assists, is the largest blow for the Nuggets going forward.
Luckily, however, Denver avoided the worst circumstance regarding Jokic’s injury, as it was initially speculated that the seven-time All-Star could have torn his ACL, which would have certainly ended his season.
“Obviously, it’s part of the game,” Nuggets guard Jamal Murray — who is also listed as day-to-day — told reporters following Denver’s loss to Miami on Monday. “But we never want to see it happen. … Next man up. We’ve got to focus on what’s in here.”
