Denver Nuggets forward Paul Millsap is out indefinitely with a left wrist injury. Millsap suffered the injury during Denver’s loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday. Shams Charania of The Vertical was first to break the news on Tuesday evening:
Denver All-Star forward Paul Millsap will undergo surgery on his left wrist and be sidelined indefinitely, league sources say.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 21, 2017
Nuggets’ Paul Millsap Out Indefinitely
Millsap, 32, is set to have surgery in the coming days, despite negative x-rays. Playing just 13 minutes in Sundays 127-109 loss to the Lakers, Millsap left the game early after a disastrous start by Mike Malone’s team. Angered by a no-call, Malone was tossed for blocking official Rodney Mott, an action he was later suspended one game for. However, Malone was not the only Nugget thrown out of the game, with star big man Nikola Jokic ejected for a verbal response to his coach’s dismissal.
The Lakers would take advantage, leading big mid-way through the second-quarter. With the game slipping away, Millsap effectively took himself out as a precaution.
ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski confirmed the four-time All-Star could miss up to three months:
Denver Nuggets forward Paul Millsap's surgery will be to repair a torn ligament in his left wrist and could sideline him for three months, league sources tell ESPN.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 21, 2017
This injury couldn’t have come at a worse time for Denver, with the team currently tied for the lead in the Northwest Division. Standing at 10-7, the Nuggets have started well enough to be considered playoff contenders. The Millsap, Jokic duo has become a frontcourt to be feared, with both players averaging over 15 points per game this season.
This is a Nuggets team that has become both interesting and fun to watch. In Millsap’s absence, the Nuggets will look to the likes of Kenneth Faried and Trey Lyles to contribute. Denver must adapt to a difficult situation, especially if they want to keep their playoff aspirations alive. Millsap is a huge loss, with the team losing his scoring and impact on the court. Chances are when Millsap returns, the Nuggets will still have something to play for.
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