The Denver Nuggets got hit with a surprise change right before Wednesday night’s matchup with the Toronto Raptors: DeMar DeRozan was ruled out with low back spasms just minutes before tip-off.
That leaves Denver a little thinner than expected, even though Cameron Johnson and Alpha Diallo are both active despite dealing with injuries. DeRozan’s absence is the late twist, and it comes with the Nuggets set to play a team he knows well. He spent the first nine years of his career in Toronto, and he has continued to produce against the Raptors since leaving.
In 21 games against Toronto since the trade, DeRozan has averaged 22.8 points, 5.3 assists, and 4.7 rebounds per game. Instead of getting a chance to add to that track record Wednesday, he’s a late scratch because of the back issue.
The Nuggets have not had to play a game without him yet this season. Through their first six games, the veteran wing has been averaging 25 minutes a night, so this is the first time Denver has to adjust on the fly without him in the mix.
One immediate answer is Diallo, who returns to the lineup and should help absorb some of the minutes. Denver may also lean on second-round rookie Bryce Hopkins for a bigger role. Hopkins has already started two games for the Nuggets despite being on a two-way contract, though he has slipped out of the rotation since Johnson came back from injury.
Denver could also lean into a second-unit group of Tyus Jones, Diallo, Hopkins, Trevon Brazile, and Marvin Bagley III. Another option is Cam Whitmore, who could get a look off the bench if the Nuggets need more scoring punch without DeRozan.
The timing makes the situation even trickier, since David Adelman and his staff had very little notice to adjust their plan for the game.
Toronto is dealing with a big absence of its own, as the Raptors are also without star forward Kawhi Leonard. Leonard was acquired by the franchise in the 2018 DeRozan trade, so neither player involved in that deal will be on the floor Wednesday night.
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