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NBA: How major injuries to star players has impacted the 2017-18 season

By FanSided User

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 19: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors reacts in the second quarter against the Brooklyn Nets during their game at Barclays Center on November 19, 2017 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 19: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors reacts in the second quarter against the Brooklyn Nets during their game at Barclays Center on November 19, 2017 in the Brooklyn borough of New York City. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Abbie Parr/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA – OCTOBER 27: Emmanuel Mudiay #0, Paul Millsap #4 and Gary Harris #14 of the Denver Nuggets walk off the court during a timeout against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena on October 27, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA – OCTOBER 27: Emmanuel Mudiay #0, Paul Millsap #4 and Gary Harris #14 of the Denver Nuggets walk off the court during a timeout against the Atlanta Hawks at Philips Arena on October 27, 2017 in Atlanta, Georgia. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

Injury

Paul Millsap recently had surgery on a torn ligament in his left wrist. The injury is going to keep him off the floor for a significant amount of time.

Impact

The addition of Paul Millsap this summer looked to put the Nuggets squarely in the middle of the playoff hunt. While there were some early season struggles, the Nuggets had been rounding into form when Millsap went down.

This is an incredibly disappointing development. Millsap was a key part of a Nuggets defense that looked somewhat improved early on. They have now fallen back to the 24th ranked defense.

Millsap was vital to the Nuggets’ operation and this extended absence could put their playoff hopes at risk. With Millsap on the floor, the Nuggets have a 109.1 offensive and a 104.6 defensive rating (4.5 net). With him off, they have a 105.8 offensive rating and a 110.2 defensive rating (-4.3 net).

Right now the Nuggets are 14-12 and 5th in the West. There are now going to be significant concerns for Denver on the defensive end. Over their last nine games, they have been the second worse defense in the league, giving up 112.6 points per 100 possessions.

They are going to need Nikola Jokic to run the offense at an elite level during this stretch without Millsap if they want to stay in the playoff hunt.

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