Alpha Diallo has been ruled out for Saturday's game against the Pelicans with a right wrist injury. He was listed day-to-day on Friday, and the Nuggets now play without a guard who played 22.2 minutes in their opener.
What happened
The Nuggets upgraded Diallo's status from day-to-day to out in the injury report posted Saturday, Oct. 24, at 8:28 PM ET. The injury is listed as a right wrist issue, under the arm category. He first appeared on the report Friday, Oct. 23, as day-to-day with the same wrist designation. The report's comment reads: "Diallo (wrist) won't play Saturday against the Pelicans." The report lists an expected return date of Oct. 26. No other timeline or diagnosis has been announced.
What it means for the Nuggets
Denver plays the Pelicans on Saturday at 9:00 PM ET. The Nuggets are 0-1 and sit 10th in the standings after a loss in their opener. Diallo, 29, played in that game and averaged 22.2 minutes, 4.0 points, 2.0 rebounds and 3.0 assists. The Nuggets have no games without him yet, so there is no record to compare. In the opener, Jamal Murray played 36.8 minutes, Nikola Jokic 35.3 and Christian Braun 32.6. Aaron Gordon (29.5) and DeMar DeRozan (28.2) followed. Trevon Brazile played 18.4 minutes. Denver is also without Cameron Johnson, Julian Strawther and Spencer Jones, who are all listed as out.
What to watch
The next injury report will show whether Diallo's wrist keeps him out beyond Saturday. The report lists an expected return date of Oct. 26, but the team has not said which game that would be. Denver's schedule after the Pelicans game is not part of this update. Watch the status of Johnson, Strawther and Jones as well, since all three are listed as out. Any change in their status would affect how the Nuggets fill the guard and wing minutes.
Is Alpha Diallo playing vs the Pelicans?
No. Diallo is out for Saturday's game against the Pelicans, 9:00 PM ET, with a right wrist injury. The injury report lists him as out, up from day-to-day on Friday.
When will Alpha Diallo be back?
The injury report lists an expected return date of Oct. 26. The team has not announced which game that would be or given a further timeline for the wrist.