Strawther's Six Weeks Reshuffle Denver's Wing Math
A clean knee diagnosis for Julian Strawther turns a vague absence into a six-week problem for Denver's wing rotation.
Denver learned Saturday that Julian Strawther will miss at least six weeks with a left knee sprain, with an estimated return of November 29. The news lands a day after the Nuggets closed the preseason with a 121-106 win at the Lakers, Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray combining for 14 assists.
A Six-Week Number Replaces a Guess
Julian Strawther's day-to-day label became something firmer Saturday: a left knee sprain that will keep him out until an estimated November 29 return. That is roughly six weeks, spanning the regular-season opener on October 22 at Oklahoma City and most of the homestand that follows.
What the Lakers Win Showed About Connection
Denver closed the preseason 121-106 at the Lakers, with Jokic and Murray combining for 14 assists and Christian Braun plus-18 in 28 minutes. Trevon Brazile added 12 points and 8 rebounds, and Marvin Bagley III closed Denver's scoring with a putback in the final minute, evidence the pieces now asked to cover Strawther's minutes can read each other.
The Wing Group Still Has a Hole
Spencer Jones remains day-to-day with the hamstring issue that has lingered since October 2, and now Strawther is out past Thanksgiving. That leaves Cam Whitmore, Braun and Bagley to cover wing minutes behind Jokic, Murray, Johnson and DeRozan, a group with far less shared time together than the one Strawther was part of.
What's Left Before Oct. 22
Aaron Gordon picked up a day-to-day rest designation Saturday, with an estimated return the same day as the opener, and he did not appear in Denver's box score from the Lakers game. The Nuggets have no remaining preseason games to settle these wing combinations before the lineup that opens the season has to hold up.
How long will Julian Strawther be out for the Nuggets?
Strawther is expected to miss about six weeks with a left knee sprain, with an estimated return of November 29.
Did Aaron Gordon play in Denver's last preseason game against the Lakers?
Gordon did not appear in Denver's box score from the Lakers game and was given a day-to-day rest designation on October 17, with an estimated return by the October 22 opener.
