Nuggets suffer another heavy blow! Valančiūnas injures right calf, expected to be sidelined for at least 4 weeks; multiple players face uncertain recovery.

On January 2nd Beijing time, renowned reporter Shams reported, citing ESPN sources, that Denver Nuggets center Valančiūnas sustained a right calf injury during Thursday’s away game against the Raptors and will undergo a re-examination in 4 weeks. This is undoubtedly another injury setback for the third-ranked Nuggets, who currently have four of their five starters out, with both Jokic and his backup Valančiūnas injured.

Valančiūnas got hurt near the end of the third quarter when he was substituted out by Holmes, showing signs of pain and limping back to the bench. The team doctor examined his injury on the bench before Valančiūnas headed to the locker room. Prior to the injury in this game, he played 23 minutes, shooting 5-for-6, scoring 17 points with 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, and 3 blocks.

It’s worth noting that the Nuggets’ starting center Jokic had previously suffered a left knee hyperextension injury in the game against the Heat and will also be re-evaluated in four weeks. Valančiūnas’s injury will undoubtedly further strain the Nuggets’ interior lineup.