Nuggets forward Cameron Johnson was downgraded from day-to-day to out for Wednesday's game at New Orleans with a right ankle injury. Denver will be without him again and is also short Alpha Diallo, Julian Strawther and Spencer Jones.
What happened
Cameron Johnson will not play Wednesday night at New Orleans. The injury report, updated at 7:18 p.m. ET on Oct. 28, moved the 30-year-old forward from day-to-day to out with a right ankle injury. The report's note reads: "Johnson (ankle) is listed as out for Wednesday's game against the Pelicans." The ankle has kept his status moving for a week. He was listed day-to-day on Oct. 22, out on Oct. 23 and back to day-to-day on Oct. 25 before Wednesday's downgrade.
What it means for the Nuggets
Denver plays at New Orleans at 8 p.m. ET Wednesday. The Nuggets are 1-2, the 10th seed, and coming off a loss. Johnson has played one game, logging 11.3 minutes with 5.0 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.0 assist. Denver lost that game and is 1-1 without him. In those games Aaron Gordon has averaged 30.4 minutes and 11.3 points, Trevon Brazile 21.0 minutes and 9.0 points, and Bryce Hopkins 17.4 minutes and 5.0 points. Alpha Diallo, who has averaged 22.2 minutes without Johnson, is also out for personal reasons. That leaves the forward minutes even thinner, with Gordon, Brazile and Hopkins likely to carry more of the load.
What to watch
The injury report lists Johnson's expected return as Oct. 30. The next report will show whether that date holds. His status has changed four times since Oct. 22, so any update should be read one game at a time. Denver's depth is also worth watching. Julian Strawther is out with a left knee injury and Spencer Jones is out with a hamstring injury, along with Diallo.
Is Cameron Johnson playing at the Pelicans on Wednesday?
No. The injury report lists him as out for Wednesday's 8 p.m. ET game at New Orleans with a right ankle injury.
When will Cameron Johnson be back?
The injury report lists his expected return as Oct. 30. Whether he plays on that date has not been announced.