Nuggets wing injuries could push Cam Whitmore and Bryce Hopkins into action

Injuries to several Denver Nuggets wing players may force two-way players Cam Whitmore and Bryce Hopkins into the rotation. Cameron Johnson suffered a right ankle sprain in Denver's 96-84 season-opening loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder and is ruled out for the home opener against the New Orleans Pelicans. Johnson joins Spencer Jones and Julian Strawther on the injury report, while defensive specialist Alpha Diallo is listed as questionable with a right wrist sprain.

Writer David Decker notes that Denver's offense struggled significantly after Johnson exited, leaving Aaron Gordon as the only reliable three-point threat. Decker argues that while Hopkins and Whitmore lack elite outside shooting, their downhill attacking ability could help fill the depleted depth. Hopkins averaged 4.0 points in the preseason, while Whitmore posted 8.6 points per game and offers scoring bursts despite defensive concerns.