The Denver Nuggets are off to their best start since the 2011-12 season, after cruising past the Suns 119-91 Saturday night in their home opener. But the team is holding their collective breath after the win as they await the diagnosis of an injury to an indispensable piece to their starting lineup.
Starting small forward Will Barton was carted off the floor at the 8:28 mark of the third quarter with what the team called a right hip injury. Barton went to the floor in pain after an acrobatic reverse layup. He was seen grabbing his hip and groin area after the fall.
Losing Barton, who’s been an ironman for Denver appearing in 81 games last season, for a significant amount of time would be a devastating blow to the Nuggets who are already thin at small forward. Barton signed a four-year, $53 million contract this summer and was expected to key contributor at the starting small forward spot. He got off to a good start in Denver’s opener, scoring 19 points on 6-12 shooting and had 14 points Saturday before exiting at the beginning of the second half. Barton averaged a career-high 15.7 points per game last season.
Torrey Craig, who recorded a DNP-CD in the Nuggets’ opener but logged 15 minutes against the Suns, and backup small forward Juancho Hernangomez are both options to move into Denver’s starting lineup.
Barton’s injury marred what was a spectacular performance from Nikola Jokic, who finished with 33 points on 11-11 shooting, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, good for his first triple-double of the season. Jokic came out aggressive against rookie center Deandre Ayton, scoring nine of the Nuggets’ first 11 points. At halftime, Jokic had 23 points, six rebounds and five assists. It was one of the most complete games of Jokic’s young career. Jokic is the first player to record a triple-double while shooting perfect from the field since Wilt Chamberlain in 1967.
Jamal Murray tallied 26 points on 9-18 shooting. Gary Harris added 18 points. Paul Millsap recorded his second-straight double-double, finishing with 14 points and 10 rebounds.
Devin Booker added 25 points on 5-15 shooting for Phoenix.
The Nuggets (2-0) host the Warriors Sunday.
