The amount of injuries that the Denver Nuggets have suffered this season has led to a myriad of issues. But, the most unexpected issue that comes from Denver missing the majority of their starters isn't what the team has had to with their stars out, but how to adapt when they finally get them back.

Both Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun are both three games in to their returns to the court after they both were sidelined with injuries since November. While having two impact players back on the court is always a good thing, getting them back into the routine of the team is a process in it's own right. 

The Nuggets have had to adapt to playing with players placed second and third on the Dever depth chart for dozens of games this season, which a has given them time to adapt to a certain lineup and understand each other's tendencies. Now with Gordon and braun back in the lineup, that chemistry has been shaken up with a nearly brand new starting rotation. 

That lack of familiarity led to dysfunction in the Nuggets' Friday night loss to the Atlanta Hawks. Denver turned the ball over 19 times in the game compared to just six by Atlanta. Those turnovers translated into 18 points off turnovers for the Hawks for a major difference maker in the final 110-87 box score. 

"I think everybody in there just had, I don't think anybody in there intended to turn it over. I think everybody was just trying to find some rhythm and find ways to get themselves involved in other guys. Sometimes you have that, but they played really good defense tonight," Peyton Watson said (via Nuggets). 

The miscommunications that arose in the game that led to the turnovers can be attributed to the newly-formed starting lineup, which is still missing star Nikola Jokic due to his own injury, lacking the rhythm that Watson mentioned. 

When that kind of chaos starts forming it can lead to desperation from players that can lead to rash decisions whether it be in regard to drives, shots or passes that leaves them open to having the ball taken away.

"I think just driving in the lanes that weren’t available to us because with our initial action, our second action, nothing is there and you’re up against the clock. Now you have guys trying to make individual plays," Nuggets head coach David Adelman said. "Guys that haven’t played together... We’re just trying to find rotations nightly that are going to work."

The talent that the Nuggets are now able to put on the floor with some of their key pieces healthy will be a major benefit as the season goes on, it just may take some time for everyone to get used to each other again before their style of play tightens back up.