Nuggets forward Cameron Johnson was downgraded from day-to-day to out on Friday's injury report with a right ankle injury. He will miss Saturday's home game against the Pelicans, with an expected return of Oct. 26.
What happened
Cameron Johnson is out for the Nuggets. The 30-year-old forward was downgraded on the injury report at 7:10 p.m. ET on Friday, Oct. 23, with a right ankle injury. He had been listed as day-to-day with the same ankle on Thursday, Oct. 22. According to the report, Johnson did not return to Thursday's game against Oklahoma City. He finished with five points on 2-of-3 shooting, including 1-of-1 from 3, along with two rebounds and one assist in 11 minutes.
What it means for the Nuggets
Denver hosts the Pelicans on Saturday, Oct. 24, at 9 p.m. ET. The Nuggets are 0-1 after losing their opener and sit eighth. Johnson's season so far is that one game: 5.0 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.0 assist in 11.3 minutes. Last season he averaged 12.2 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists in 30.5 minutes over 54 games. Aaron Gordon leads the rotation with 20.0 points in 29.5 minutes. DeMar DeRozan adds 13.0 in 28.2. Alpha Diallo (22.2 minutes), Trevon Brazile (18.4) and Marvin Bagley III (11.0) are next in line, but Diallo is day-to-day with a right wrist issue. Denver has not played a game without Johnson yet.
What to watch
The injury report lists an expected return date of Oct. 26 for Johnson. The next report will show whether that holds. Denver has other names to track before Saturday's game against New Orleans. Diallo is day-to-day with his right wrist, Spencer Jones is day-to-day with a hamstring issue and Julian Strawther is out with a left knee injury. Diallo's status matters most, because he is one of the players in line to pick up Johnson's minutes.
Is Cameron Johnson playing vs Pelicans on Sat, Oct 24?
No. Johnson is listed as out on the injury report with a right ankle injury for Saturday's 9 p.m. ET game against the Pelicans.
When will Cameron Johnson be back?
The injury report lists an expected return of Oct. 26. No other timeline has been announced.