Jonas Valanciunas is back on the court after missing time with a calf injury.
The Denver Nuggets have been no stranger to injuries this season, but they're starting to see some reprieve from that problem with Jonas Valanciunas.
The Lithuanian center was thrust into a starting role after star Nikola Jokic went down with an injury, but in just his first game in the role he went down himself with a calf injury that sidelined him for over three weeks.
Now he's back and finding his legs under him again after two games. Valanciunas knows that being off his feet for that long means that there needs to be some time for him to get his conditioning back to where it needs to be, but at this point he's just happy to be back on the court with his teammates.
Denver Nuggets center Jonas Valanciunas (17) passes the ball away from Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0) in the second half at Ball Arena. Ron Chenoy-Imagn ImagesGetting Back in Shape
"I missed some time, so I need to get into game shape. It's going to take a little bit of time, but I feel good just playing basketball," Valanciunas said (via Nuggets). "That's what I'm happy to do, so it was great to be with the guys and play basketball."
Valanciunas will be heavily relied on with Jokic still out as he fills a crucial position at center and provides some much needed physicality to a Nuggets team that is still struggling with injuries to several of their key pieces, with every new injury report seemingly revealing another starter that has to miss a game.
Denver Nuggets center Jonas Valanciunas (17) reacts in the second quarter against the Detroit Pistons at Ball Arena. Ron Chenoy-Imagn ImagesIn his 14th NBA season, Valanciunas brings veteran experience to the team and while he hasn't produced close to the level that he's been capable of in the past, averaging just 8.9 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.3 assists per game, he's still a crucial physical presence and big man on the court.
Waiting for Jokic
Jokic still needs to be re-evaluated before a return to the court can be considered, and without their biggest star the Nuggets have managed to do well with a 9-6 record without him, but being without arguably the best player in the NBA is still a massive hit that the Nuggets would rather do without.
Denver Nuggets center Jonas Valanciunas (17) and Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren (0) reach for the tip off in the first quarter at Ball Arena. Ron Chenoy-Imagn ImagesThere is an abundance of talent on the Nuggets roster that hasn't been able to share the court together for the majority of the season and if and when the opportunity arises that the Nuggets have their stars all together again, they will surely be a force to be reckoned with.
Until then, the most that the Nuggets can be happy about is that Valanciunas is back on the court and happy to be there.