Will Barton available to play as Nuggets host Jazz

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DENVER — After missing the Nuggets’ last nine games with a sprained left ankle, Will Barton is available to play for the Nuggets Sunday night as Denver welcomes the Utah Jazz to Pepsi Center.

“Having Will Barton hopefully being able to go tonight will be a welcomed addition or a guy who hasn’t played since the end of October,” coach Michael Malone said pregame.

Barton hurt his ankle Halloween night in Denver’s 105-102 loss to the Toronto Raptors and Malone initially put a 4-6 week timetable on his return back on November 12.

“Initially, they gave a four to six-week timeline. I think it’s approaching the end of that timeline now,” Malone said. “I don’t think Will’s a guy that’s been hurt very much so maybe his body’s not used to it. The ankle injury he had was bad. It rolled over and almost touched the ground. It was a pretty severe ankle sprain.”

Barton then returned to practice November 15 but had to cut his session short after experiencing soreness. He’ll start at shooting guard versus Utah.

Gary Harris, who’s sidelined with a right foot injury will be out at least four weeks but his injury won’t require surgery. Harris went through a light shooting workout work prior to Sunday’s game against the Jazz.