Bruce

Brown

Denver received 43 points from its bench on Sunday, with Hardaway and Bruce Brown (15 points, one rebound, two steals and three three-pointers) leading the way. THJ has made at least four three-pointers in three of his last four games, providing consistent production off the bench. He remains a player most valuable to managers needing points and three-pointers, but the two steals on Sunday were a nice bonus.

Both Gordon and Johnson have a chance to return to Denver’s lineup, but Gordon’s minutes could be managed after such a lengthy absence. Julian Strawther, Tim Hardaway Jr., and Bruce Brown could all see reductions in playing time if Gordon and Johnson are available.

Johnson will miss a second straight game with this ankle injury. Jonas Valančiūnas started in his place on Monday and logged 17 minutes. Bruce Brown and Tim Hardaway Jr. ended up seeing the largest role increase, with both logging 32 minutes off the bench. Johnson could return to take on the Knicks on Friday,

With no Cameron Johnson (ankle), the Nuggets decided to slide Valančiūnas into the starting lineup. And Monday’s game was the first in which Valančiūnas started alongside Nikola Jokić. The veteran center was solid in his 17 minutes, with Bruce Brown (4/3/4/1) and Tim Hardaway Jr. (7/6/1 with one three-pointer) each playing 30 minutes off the bench. Even if Johnson isn’t available for Thursday’s game against the Lakers and Valančiūnas gets another start, JV’s unlikely to get the minutes needed to affect fantasy basketball with a healthy Jokić in the lineup.

Denver will be shorthanded yet again, and the absences of Johnson and Jones should free up additional minutes for Tim Hardaway Jr. and Bruce Brown.

Johnson, who was dealing with right ankle inflammation before Sunday’s game, logged 23 ineffective minutes before exiting during the third quarter and not returning. The veteran forward has struggled recently, and that was before the ankle became an issue. Tim Hardaway Jr. and Bruce Brown are likely to pick up additional minutes if Johnson has to miss time. Denver visits the Jazz on Monday, the first of three games they’ll play in Week 19.

Johnson, who struggled in Friday’s loss to the Thunder, is dealing with right ankle inflammation. His potential absence would not have a significant effect on fantasy basketball, but it would push Bruce Brown or Tim Hardaway Jr. into the starting lineup.

While Murray was on the Nuggets’ pregame injury report with a hamstring issue, the guard arrived at the arena for Wednesday’s game dealing with an illness. He tried to gut it out but had to exit during the second quarter and has now been ruled out for the rest of the night. Bruce Brown entered the lineup to begin the third quarter. Murray finished with two points and one assist in eight minutes.

Bruce Brown tied a season-high in points on Thursday thanks to a sensational first half of basketball, when he scored 17 points on 6-of-8 shooting with three triples. He cooled down considerably after halftime but still finished as one of Denver’s top scorers on the evening. His facilitation was also impressive and important for Denver in his 25 minutes of game action. Brown isn’t a needle-mover in fantasy leagues or someone fantasy managers should be looking to add immediately, but he’s capable of having some productive nights.

The Nuggets can’t catch a break this season, as another key player will miss extended time. Watson sustained a right hamstring strain, and he won’t return until the first week of March at the earliest. Spencer Jones (head), Bruce Brown and Tim Hardaway Jr. could all be in line for extended run until Watson returns.