According to the Denver Nuggets, backup shooting guard Julian Strawther will miss the next four weeks with a left knee sprain.

Strawther suffered the injury during the third quarter of Sunday’s loss to the Boston Celtics while attempting a floater. The Nuggets wing had played every single game up until this point, keeping himself ready and available for an important year of skill development. Unfortunately, that year might be coming to a close, depending on his timetable to return and Denver’s willingness to reintegrate him late into the season.

Today, March 4th, 2025, is when the Nuggets sent out their notice about Strawther’s injury absence. Exactly four weeks from today is April 1st, coinciding with Game 76 of the regular season against the Minnesota Timberwolves. In theory, Strawther could return for that game and have a few regular season games to get himself back into shape and ready for a playoff run. In practice, injury timelines are rarely straightforward, and it’s more likely that Strawther has some issues reintegrating in the final couple weeks of the season.

With the final game of the regular season on April 13th, Denver’s playoff run should begin close to April 19th or 20th. That gives Strawther close to seven weeks between now and then to get as comfortable as possible. That’s enough time, but the Nuggets will have to account for the possibility that he’s not ready for that environment. As a second year player playing his first significant minutes in the NBA, it shouldn’t be surprising.

And yet, Strawther is Denver’s second shooting guard. The first and only remaining healthy shooting guard is Christian Braun. Expect his minutes to go up as a result of this injury despite the heavy workload he already maintains. In addition, expect the Nuggets to experiment with more two point guard lineups with Jamal Murray and Russell Westbrook. The veteran point guard is also likely to see additional work because of Strawther’s absence, as will the third point guard on the roster: Jalen Pickett.

In addition, the Nuggets should consider Peyton Watson at the shooting guard position upon his return to the floor. Watson suffered a knee sprain with a similar timetable to Strawther, but he’s on the precipice of returning. Te perimeter wing is Denver’s most dynamic defender, and if the Nuggets can improve their defense by putting Watson on the floor, they must consider the possibility.

Whatever the case, this injury makes life complicated for the Nuggets between now and the end of the regular season. Here’s hoping Strawther is ready to return sooner than later. He’s played all 61 games to date and averaged 9.4 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game on 22.1 minutes per game. Strawther’s 35.7% from three underrates his shooting ability because his shot quality is fairly low, and the Nuggets could use a tough shotmaker in the playoffs in a variety of situations.

Here’s to Strawther being that guy when the Nuggets need him to be.