The Denver Nuggets made a late-minute decision to sideline reserve forward Spencer Jones for their season opener against the Oklahoma City Thunder, opting to protect the 24-year-old from potentially worsening a left hamstring injury.
Heading into the matchup at Paycom Center, team officials had spent the week anticipating Jones would be available. However, following a shootaround on Thursday, the medical staff reevaluated the 3-and-D wing and advised caution.
“He went through the whole day, the whole process. We’re not gonna play him tonight,” coach David Adelman said Thursday night prior to tipoff. “It’s not a serious thing, just precautionary. It’s one of those injuries that could turn out to be a serious thing.”
Jones sustained the left hamstring strain during a player development workout at training camp, an issue that forced him to miss the entire preseason. Speaking to reporters on the preceding Sunday, Jones expressed optimism that he was on track to play in Oklahoma City, though he acknowledged he had not yet received official clearance. As late as Wednesday, Adelman remained encouraged about the player’s prospects of joining the rotation.
Due to the game’s late-night tip time scheduled for national television, the organization faced an unusually prolonged day, providing an extended window for medical evaluations. Adelman noted that the extensive checks ultimately revealed enough concern to warrant holding him out.
“Today was one of those ‘longest days ever’ kind of things in the NBA. So we had a lot of opportunity to get him checked by the medical people,” Adelman said. “And there was enough concern that you can’t lose your backup power forward on night one. I just think it’s a smart play. Not to mention, sometimes when guys don’t play, it brings opportunity. … I think it does educate to see your roster. So being careful with Spence, bringing opportunity to other people.”
Trevon Brazile absorbed the bulk of the minutes at the backup four position while Jones was sidelined throughout the preseason. Jones’s absence leaves him as the second Nuggets reserve to begin the regular season on the injury list, joining shooting guard Julian Strawther, who is recovering from a knee injury.
