DENVER — An MRI on Wilson Chandler‘s right groin “didn’t show anything too severe,” according to coach Michael Malone, and the Nuggets hope they’ll have their starting forward back in the lineup for Thursday’s matchup with the Clippers.

“I think he got an MRI. It didn’t show anything too severe, but obviously, the pain and discomfort that he’s in is really what’s allowing him not to play,” Malone said. “The good thing is we have Tuesday and Wednesday before we play again on Thursday night. We’ll see what happens in the next couple of days with his recovery and rehab and hopefully, we can get him back ASAP. As we all know, Wilson is a very very important part to what we’re trying to do and we need him out there.”

In his place Monday, the Nuggets started big man Mason Plumlee alongside Nikola Jokic. Plumlee responded with 15 points on 6-9 shooting and ten rebounds in 36 minutes of action.

Chandler injured his groin while defending a Skal Labissiere drive in the third quarter of Saturday night’s win over the Kings. Chandler played 29 minutes in Sacramento but was ruled out and diagnosed with a “right groin contusion” prior to Monday night’s tip.

Here's where Chandler suffered the groin contusion that has his questionable Monday vs Lakers. Looked to be in a considerable amount of pain pic.twitter.com/YnsLh3rsiw

— Harrison Wind (@HarrisonWind) March 12, 2017

In 60 games this season (27 starts) Chandler is averaging 16.1 points and a career-high 6.6 rebounds per game.