The Denver Nuggets got a bit of a breather on Tuesday night - and not just because they’re navigating a stretch without several key starters. Forward Cameron Johnson, who left the game after a scary fall in the fourth quarter, avoided what could’ve been a much more serious setback. An MRI revealed a bone bruise in Johnson’s right knee, but no structural damage - a sigh of relief for both the player and the team.
The injury happened as Johnson went up for a defensive rebound and landed awkwardly. He immediately grabbed his right knee and was helped off the floor, sparking concern that the Nuggets might be facing yet another long-term absence in an already depleted rotation.
But according to multiple reports, including from team insiders, the diagnosis is relatively positive. Johnson will miss time, but the absence isn’t expected to be a lengthy one - at least not compared to what was initially feared.
Still, there’s no firm timeline just yet. More clarity is expected later this week, but it’s safe to assume Johnson won’t be suiting up for the Nuggets’ Christmas Day showdown against the Timberwolves - a key divisional matchup that’s suddenly looking like an uphill climb for Denver.
Johnson’s injury comes at a tough time, both for him personally and for a Nuggets team already juggling injuries. The 27-year-old forward was just starting to find his rhythm after a rocky start in Denver following his offseason arrival from Brooklyn in the Michael Porter Jr. trade.
Over his first 11 games in a Nuggets uniform, Johnson averaged just 7.2 points per game while shooting a rough .372 from the field and an ice-cold .211 from three. But the past few weeks have told a different story.
In his last 17 outings, Johnson has looked far more comfortable, putting up 14.6 points per game while shooting over 50% from the floor and a scorching 52.3% from deep. That kind of efficiency is exactly what Denver hoped for when they brought him in - a floor-spacing wing who can defend, knock down open looks, and complement Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray without needing the ball in his hands.
Now, with Johnson likely sidelined for at least a few games, the Nuggets’ depth is once again being tested. Christian Braun (ankle) and Aaron Gordon (hamstring) are still working their way back, leaving the team short-handed in the forward rotation.
In recent games, Peyton Watson and rookie Spencer Jones have stepped into starting roles alongside Jokic, Murray, and Johnson. With Johnson now out too, the next-man-up mentality will have to kick into overdrive.
Look for Bruce Brown and Tim Hardaway Jr. to be the leading candidates to slide into the starting five. Both bring different skill sets - Brown with his defensive versatility and connective playmaking, Hardaway with his scoring punch and perimeter shooting - but either way, Denver will need someone to step up and help fill the void.
The Nuggets have weathered injuries before, and with Jokic still anchoring the lineup, they’ll remain competitive. But there’s no sugarcoating it - losing three starters at once is a tough hand to play, especially heading into the holiday slate.
The good news? Johnson’s injury isn’t as bad as it looked.
And in a season where health can swing a contender’s fate, that’s a win in itself.