The Denver Nuggets have been grinding through the Western Conference with one of the league’s best records - and they’ve done it while navigating a brutal stretch of injuries. But on Tuesday night, they held their breath again as forward Cam Johnson went down in the fourth quarter of a narrow 131-130 loss to the Dallas Mavericks, clutching his knee in obvious pain. For a team already stretched thin, it looked like another major blow.
Thankfully, the news on Wednesday brought a much-needed sigh of relief. Johnson’s MRI revealed no structural damage - just a bone bruise, according to reports.
That’s about as good as it gets considering how bad it looked in real time. There’s still no firm timetable for his return, but the expectation is that he won’t be sidelined long-term.
And for Denver, that’s huge.
Let’s be clear: Johnson’s presence matters. With Christian Braun limited to just 11 games this season and Aaron Gordon - who was in the middle of a breakout year - only logging 13, the Nuggets have leaned heavily on their depth. Johnson, originally brought in via a high-stakes trade with the Brooklyn Nets that sent Michael Porter Jr. and an unprotected 2032 first-round pick the other way, has been tasked with stepping into a critical scoring role behind Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray.
It didn’t click right away. Johnson’s early days in Denver were rocky - a slow start that had some wondering if the trade would pay off.
But over the last 16 games, he’s flipped the script. Averaging 15 points on 50% shooting from the field and a scorching 51% from three-point range, Johnson has started to look like the kind of complementary piece this offense needs.
His ability to stretch the floor, move without the ball, and knock down shots in rhythm has been a perfect fit alongside Jokic’s playmaking and Murray’s shot creation.
In a season where the Nuggets have had to constantly adjust, Johnson's emergence has been one of the more encouraging developments. His injury scare was a reminder of how fragile things can be - especially for a team with championship aspirations and a roster already tested by attrition.
But for now, Denver can exhale. Johnson avoided the worst, and if his recent form is any indication, he’ll be back soon and ready to keep building on the momentum he’s been creating.
The Nuggets are still in the thick of a Western Conference battle that leaves little room for error. Every healthy body counts - especially one who’s proving he can be a reliable third option. And with Jokic doing Jokic things and Murray rounding into form, Johnson’s return can’t come soon enough.