Nuggets guard Julian Strawther was helped off the court with a left leg injury during Denver’s preseason game Wednesday in Los Angeles.
Strawther’s leg got caught under his body and bent awkwardly as he landed on it during the third quarter. He stayed down on the court, grimacing in pain, until Nuggets trainers helped him up. He didn’t appear to be putting any pressure on the injured leg as he left the court, going directly to the locker room. The Nuggets ruled him out a few minutes later, though without any specific injury designation.
Strawther, 24, has been one of Denver’s standouts off the bench this preseason. He arrived in Los Angeles averaging 14 points in the first three exhibitions — 27.5 points per 36 minutes. He had added 11 more points on a 3-for-7 outside shooting clip against the Clippers before suffering the injury at Intuit Dome. Denver’s second unit has been relying on him for shot creation off the dribble in tandem with DeMar DeRozan, who was given the night off Wednesday.
This is Strawther’s fourth season in Denver, where he was drafted with the 29th overall pick in 2023 out of Gonzaga. He’s spent his first three years in and out of the rotation, and he has been competing for the last spot in Adelman’s bench unit this month. He’s eligible to sign an extension with the Nuggets through Oct. 19. If he doesn’t, he’ll be a restricted free agent next offseason.
