The Denver Nuggets already were without star center Nikola Jokic for a minimum of a month, and now his backup will be sidelined for the same period.
Jonas Valanciunas strained his right calf on Wednesday, and the team announced a day later that he would be re-evaluated in four weeks.
In Denver’s first game since Jokic sustained a left knee injury, Valanciunas made his first start of the season against the host Toronto Raptors on Wednesday. He logged 17 points, nine rebounds, four assists and three blocks before getting hurt late in the third quarter.
He did not return to action as Denver went on to win 106-103.
Valanciunas, 33, is averaging 8.5 points, 4.7 rebounds and 1.2 assists through 33 games this season.
Through 14 NBA seasons, Valanciunas owns career averages of 12.9 points, 9.2 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 970 games (849 starts).
The banged-up Nuggets also will be without Cameron Johnson (knee) for a minimum of four weeks after he got hurt on Dec. 23. Aaron Gordon (hamstring) has been out for six weeks and Christian Braun (ankle) has been sidelined for seven weeks, but both could return in the next handful of games.
Denver is 1-2 on a seven-game road trip that continues Friday at Cleveland.
–Field Level Media
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