Nuggets’ Cam Johnson suffers ankle injury in opening loss to Thunder appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Denver Nuggets struggled to get anything going in their season opener on Thursday, bowing to the Oklahoma City Thunder, 96-84, at Paycom Center.
The Nuggets had a decent start, but they slowly unraveled in the second half, allowing the Thunder to improve to 2-0 despite Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 20-point streak being snapped.
The loss could be extra costly, as Cam Johnson suffered an ankle injury with 3:30 left in the second quarter. He was deemed questionable and did not return. Johnson finished with five points, two rebounds, and one assist in 11 minutes.
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The 30-year-old forward hit the floor hard after contesting a shot by Ajay Mitchell. He limped off the floor and went to the locker room.
Nikola Jokic was atrocious from the field, scoring 13 points on 5-of-19 shooting. He also had seven rebounds and five assists. Jamal Murray did not fare better, scoring six points on 2-of-11 shooting. He also tallied 10 rebounds, three assists, and six turnovers.
The Nuggets gave up 21 points off their 22 turnovers.
Gilgeous-Alexander had 17 points on 6-of-19 shooting and three assists. Jalen Williams led the Thunder with 21 points, five rebounds, and three assists. Chet Holmgren added 12 points, 17 rebounds, and four blocks.
If Johnson is sidelined for an extended period, DeMar DeRozan could slide into the starting unit, with Daron Holmes II, Alpha Diallo, Bryce Hopkins, and Trevon Brazile getting extra minutes off the bench.
Last season, Denver acquired Johnson in a trade with the Brooklyn Nets in exchange for Michael Porter Jr. and a first-round pick. A knee injury, however, limited Johnson to 54 games, averaging 12.2 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 2.4 assists.
The Nuggets will face the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday.
Related: Nuggets vs. Thunder injury report features 1 ironic questionable status