Injury Watch: Nuggets Forward Cameron Johnson Exits with Knee Issue
The Denver Nuggets may be looking at another lineup adjustment, and it’s not the kind they wanted heading into the heart of the season. Forward Cameron Johnson left Tuesday night’s game against the Mavericks after suffering a right knee injury in the fourth quarter. Johnson limped off the floor and did not return, and now the team is awaiting the results of an MRI to determine the severity.
For a team already battling through injuries, this could be another tough blow. Johnson, who was acquired from Brooklyn over the summer, had been a steady presence in the starting lineup.
He started 27 games before Tuesday, averaging 11.8 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.3 assists in just under 31 minutes per game. He was coming off a strong 20-point outing in a win over Utah the night before, showing signs of finding his rhythm in Denver’s system.
Johnson is in the third year of a four-year, $94.5 million contract and has been a key piece for the Nuggets on both ends of the floor. His ability to stretch defenses with his shooting and contribute defensively on the wing has helped stabilize a rotation that’s been anything but settled.
Denver is already without two starters-Christian Braun, who’s been sidelined since November 12 with an ankle injury, and Aaron Gordon, who hasn’t played since November 21 due to a hamstring issue. The frontcourt has been patchwork for weeks, and losing Johnson for any extended period would only deepen the challenge for head coach Michael Malone.
If Johnson is forced to miss time, the Nuggets are expected to lean more heavily on Tim Hardaway Jr., Bruce Brown, and Julian Strawther to carry the load. All three have had their moments this season, but none bring the exact two-way versatility Johnson offers. With a packed holiday slate and playoff positioning already starting to take shape in the Western Conference, the margin for error is getting thinner by the week.
Paolo Banchero Shuts Down Talk of Chemistry Issues in Orlando
Paolo Banchero isn’t here for the noise.
The Magic star pushed back hard this week against the growing narrative that he and Franz Wagner struggle to share the floor effectively. Speaking candidly, Banchero dismissed the idea outright.
“I think that’s bull-,” Banchero said. “We know that we’re at our strongest when both of us are out there on the floor.”
The criticism has been bubbling up as Orlando’s offense has gone through its share of ups and downs this season. Some have suggested that the team flows better with only one of its young stars on the court at a time. Banchero made it clear he doesn’t see it that way-and more importantly, the team doesn’t play that way.
He emphasized that the Magic’s offensive identity doesn’t change based on who’s in the lineup. It’s about execution, not personnel.
Banchero also addressed his own shooting slump. Heading into Tuesday’s game against the Trail Blazers, he was shooting 43.4% from the field and just 23.7% from three-point range-a career low. He pointed to the groin strain that sidelined him for 10 games earlier in the season as a factor in his struggles.
“It was definitely a setback,” he said. “I knew coming back it would take some time.”
For a player who’s shouldering a heavy offensive load night in and night out, it’s not surprising that a lower-body injury would take time to fully recover from. The Magic are still in the thick of the playoff picture in the East, and as Banchero gets back to full strength, his impact on both ends of the floor will be critical.
Terry Rozier’s Legal Team Moves to Dismiss Federal Charges
Terry Rozier’s legal battle took a new turn this week, as his attorneys filed a motion to dismiss the federal charges levied against the Miami Heat guard.
Rozier, who has been on league leave since his arrest on October 23, pleaded not guilty earlier this month to charges of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. He was released on a $3 million bond, secured by his Florida home.
The motion, filed by attorney Jim Trusty, argues that the government’s case doesn’t meet the legal standard for wire fraud. Trusty claimed that prosecutors are attempting to enforce their interpretation of sports betting integrity, rather than demonstrating actual criminal intent.
According to the motion, the indictment is centered on alleged violations of sportsbook terms of service-not on any manipulation of games or outcomes. Legal experts have noted that wire fraud cases typically require proof that the defendant intended to deprive a victim of money or property, a bar Trusty says the government hasn’t cleared.
The Department of Justice is expected to respond to the motion by February 2. Until then, Rozier remains away from the team as the legal process continues to unfold.
Bottom Line
Between injury concerns in Denver, chemistry debates in Orlando, and legal drama in Miami, it’s been a busy week around the league. As teams gear up for the second half of the season, these storylines could have major implications-not just for the players involved, but for how their teams navigate the road ahead.