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NBA Rumors: Paul Millsap will not return until after the all-star break

By Michael Saenz

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) /
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NBA Rumors: Paul Millsap will likely not return until after the NBA All-Star break; can they continue to survive until then?

In mid-November, the Denver Nuggets lost arguably their best player due to a wrist injury. He was expected to miss a few months.

As soon as it was realized that all-star forward Paul Millsap would miss a couple months after undergoing wrist surgery, there was a legit concern whether or not the Nuggets would be able to survive without their prized free agent.

So far, so good.

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Since losing Millsap to injury, the Nuggets have posted a 7-6 record and currently sit tied with the Portland Trail Blazers for the 5th seed in the conference at 16-13. Problem is, the 9th-seeded Utah Jazz is only three games in the loss column back of the Nuggets.

To make matters worse, the Nuggets will have to survive two more months without Millsap.

"[via BSN Denver]Nuggets coach Michael Malone thinks the earliest Millsap could return is after the All-Star break.“For me in my mind, I don’t think he’s back until maybe the best-case scenario is until after the All-Star break,” Malone said. “And if it’s before that, great. But we’re not going to rush him back obviously.”"

If Millsap were to return around the NBA All-Star break, that would mean at least 29 more games without their star for the Nuggets.

They’ve done a solid job thus far in remaining relevant in a competitive West, but you have to wonder how much longer Denver could get by without one of their best players and most talented offensive players on the roster.

Without Millsap in the lineup, the Nuggets have dropped off most on the defensive side of the ball. In the first 13 games with Millsap, the Nuggets carried a 106.8 defensive rating and a 1.8 net rating. Since his loss, Denver’s defense has fallen to a 109.4 defensive rating and -1.5 net rating.

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It’s unclear where the Nuggets go from here, but essentially the game plan is the survive and try to remain in striking distance, at the very least, of a playoff spot in the West until Millsap returns.

The Nuggets haven’t made the playoffs since 2012-13 season and had aspirations of Millsap being a major player in making a return to the NBA’s postseason.

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