Nuggets' Julian Strawther exits preseason game with leg injury

Denver Nuggets guard Julian Strawther was helped off the court with a left leg injury during the team's preseason game against the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday at Intuit Dome.

Injury Details

The incident occurred in the third quarter when Strawther's leg got caught under his body and bent awkwardly as he landed. He remained on the court, grimacing in pain, until Nuggets trainers assisted him up. According to the Denver Post, Strawther did not appear to be putting any pressure on the injured leg as he left the court and went directly to the locker room. The Nuggets ruled him out a few minutes later, though without any specific injury designation.

ClutchPoints reporter Tomer Azarly noted the severity of the moment on X, stating, "Julian Strawther tweaked his knee on that last collision, went down in pain, and stayed down for a minute." Azarly added, "Replay did not look good. He's now being helped back to the Nuggets locker room."

Performance and Context

Strawther, 24, had been a significant contributor off the bench for Denver during the preseason. Before the injury, he was averaging 14 points in the first three exhibitions, which equates to 27.5 points per 36 minutes. In the game against the Clippers, he scored 11 points on a 3-for-7 shooting clip from outside before exiting. He finished the contest with 11 points, two rebounds, and two turnovers in 19 minutes.

The Nuggets lost the game to the Clippers, 122-110. DeMar DeRozan, who has been sharing shot-creation duties with Strawther in the second unit, was given the night off.

Contract Status

This is Strawther's fourth season in Denver, where he was drafted with the 29th overall pick in 2023 out of Gonzaga. He has spent his first three years moving in and out of the rotation and has been competing for the final spot in the bench unit this month. Strawther is eligible to sign an extension with the Nuggets through Oct. 19. If he does not sign an extension, he will become a restricted free agent next offseason.

Why it matters

Strawther's injury impacts the Nuggets' depth chart as they prepare for the regular season. He has been a key piece of the second unit, providing shot creation off the dribble. His absence leaves questions about the rotation, particularly with DeMar DeRozan resting and other guards like Jamal Murray, Christian Braun, and Tyus Jones ahead of him on the depth chart. The team has not yet released a specific diagnosis, leaving the timeline for his return uncertain.

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Sources

• denverpost.com: Nuggets' Julian Strawther leaves preseason game with leg injury
• clutchpoints.com: Nuggets news: Julian Strawther exits game vs. Clippers with troubling injury

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