Kenneth Faried out at least a week with back spasms

Nuggets starting power forward Kenneth Faried did not travel with the team on their current two-game road trip which pits Denver against Chicago Tuesday and Milwaukee Wednesday.

Faried, who’s averaging 9.7 points and 7.9 rebounds this season, has been in and out of the Nuggets lineup lately, missing four games earlier in this month with a right ankle sprain, and Sunday’s loss at home against Memphis with a low back spasms.

The 27-year-old, who’s started only 29 of the 49 games he’s appeared in this year, remained in Denver this week for treatment, according to multiple reports out of Chicago Tuesday morning.

Kenneth Faried did not make the trip to Chicago. Back in Denver getting treatment. Malone estimates he'll be out at least 7-10 days.

— Nick Kosmider (@NickKosmider) February 28, 2017

The Nuggets started Wilson Chandler in Faried’s place in their loss to Memphis Sunday and the swingman responded with 14 points on 5-15 shooting to go with nine rebounds.

Darrell Arthur is expected to see more consistent minutes in Faried’s extended absence. Also, Mason Plumlee and Nikola Jokic, who have spent 27 minutes on the floor together over three games, could play more together in the interim. Rookie Juancho Hernangomez, who’s fallen out of the rotation with Danilo Gallinari healthy, could also see more playing time.

If all goes well, Faried could be back for Denver’s matchup against the Washington Wizards on March 8 or against the Boston Celtics, who visit Pepsi Center March 10.