Denver Nuggets center Jonas Valanciunas was forced to exit Wednesday’s win at the Toronto Raptors early due to a calf injury. Valanciunas was injured late in the third quarter and described the injury as feeling a “pop” in his right calf.
The veteran backup center was starting in place of Nikola Jokic, who is out for at least four weeks after hyperextending his knee earlier in the week. Valanciunas had put up 17 points, nine rebounds, four assists and three blocks in 23 minutes before getting hurt.
Without Valanciunas available, Nuggets coach David Adelman cobbled together small-ball lineups featuring Peyton Watson, Spencer Jones and second-year rookie DaRon Holmes II. Adelman said Valanciunas left the arena in a walking boot, but was walking under his own power.