Despite a bit of a slow start to the NBA season, the Denver Nuggets have seemingly figured it out. After starting the campaign 2-3, the Nuggets went on a five-game winning streak. They are now 8-5 and own the No. 5 seed in the Western Conference. This is despite Nikola Jokic missing the last three games for personal reasons. Additionally, Aaron Gordon, who is nursing a calf injury, has only played seven games this season. Though Jokic is due to return sometime soon, the Nuggets will play without one of their role players for the “foreseeable future.”
According to head coach Michael Malone, via Nuggets beat writer Vinny Benedetto, the team will be without Vlatko Cancar indefinitely due to a knee injury.
Michael Malone says the Nuggets are still getting info on Vlatko Cancar’s knee , but he’s out for the “foreseeable future.” Multiple options being weighed.
— Vinny Benedetto (@VBenedetto) November 21, 2024
Cancar suffered the injury during Denver’s game against the Memphis Grizzlies. The forward left the game early and was ruled out after 11 minutes of play. Cancar missed all of the 2023-24 season due to a torn ACL on the same knee he just injured. The Slovenian native will miss an indefinite period of time. However, Malone did not confirm whether this is a season-ending injury or not.
Vlatko Cancar weighing options for left knee. Malone: “Not necessarily (season-ending). It could go a couple different ways. We’re still gathering information, letting the knee calm down a little bit. So I don’t want to get doom and gloom. But he’s out for the foreseeable future”
— Bennett Durando (@BennettDurando) November 21, 2024
Denver Nuggets Lose Power Forward For ‘Foreseeable Future’
Vlatko Cancar’s Season Before the Injury
Now in his sixth season with the Nuggets, Cancar has been a solid role player. This did not change this season. The 27-year-old appeared in four games for the Nuggets, averaging 2.3 points and 2 rebounds. Unfortunately for Cancar, this could prove to be the end of his Nuggets career.
Cancar signed a one-year, $2.1 million contract to stay in Denver this offseason. If he is out for the rest of the season, he will not have another opportunity under his current deal to prove his worth to the Nuggets. There is no doubt that Cancar is a solid player for Denver, with his biggest role happening during their 2023 championship run. However, he is a replaceable forward who will have only played four games in the last two seasons.
Regardless, Cancar is not officially ruled out for the season. Hopefully for him and the team, he can make a full recovery and return to the court sooner rather than later.
The Last Word
Losing Cancar for an indefinite amount of time will not end their championship aspirations. Regardless, it is a tough loss, especially if he is out for the rest of the year. While Cancar is out of action, the Nuggets will likely rely more heavily on Peyton Watson and Dario Saric to back up Gordon when he makes his return to the court.
