Paul Millsap is expected to undergo wrist surgery, which will cause him to miss 2-3 months.
Millsap injured his wrist during Denver’s loss to the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday night. X-rays were negative, but The Vertical’s Shams Charania says further testing showed the need for surgery.
The four-time All-Star averaged 15.3 points and 6.2 rebounds per game this season before his injury. Millsap was added to bring more muscle and rebounding prowess to Denver's guard-heavy lineup, but his injury will force Kenneth Faried back into the starting lineup.
The Nuggets (10-7) have won five of their last seven games with Nikola Jokic leading the team in scoring at 15.6 points per game.
Millsap, 32, signed a two-year, $61 million deal this offseason, with a $30 million option for the 2019-2020 season.
“We’ve had some issues as far as trying to get guys minutes,” said Nuggets assistant coach Wes Unseld Jr., who took the head-coaching duties in place of a suspended Malone on Monday. “It’s a perfect opportunity for guys who haven’t had a chance to play as much as they’d like.
“We have to have that ‘next-man-up’ mentality where, ‘All right, here’s your opportunity. Make the most of it.’”
With Millsap and starting small forward Wilson Chandler (lower back pain) both out against the Kings, Kenneth Faried returned to his coveted spot in the starting lineup and finished with six points and seven rebounds in 19 minutes. Mason Plumlee (five points, seven rebounds, three assists in 20 minutes) remained Denver’s first big man off the bench.
A three-month recovery time would put Millsap’s return date around the All-Star break in mid-February, a lengthy absence that could be a significant hit on Denver’s push for its first playoff berth since 2013. Millsap is Denver’s second-leading scorer (15.3 points) and rebounder (6.2 per game) behind standout center Nikola Jokic and has been praised for his veteran leadership in the Nuggets’ locker room.
