Nuggets' P.J. Dozier's Knee Injury vs. Blazers Diagnosed as Torn ACL

Denver Nuggets guard P.J. Dozier suffered a torn ACL in Tuesday's game against the Portland Trail Blazers, the Nuggets announced on Wednesday evening.

ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski previously reported Dozier would undergo further evaluation Wednesday but initial tests signaled it is a season-ending injury.

The fifth-year guard had two points and two rebounds in four minutes before exiting Tuesday night. He's averaging 5.4 points and 3.5 rebounds through the first 18 games of the 2021-22 season.

The Nuggets are already playing without Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr., neither of whom have a timetable for a return. Murray is recovering from his own ACL tear, while Porter is dealing with a back injury. Nikola Jokic has also missed the Nuggets' last three games with a wrist injury, but he's likely to be back soon. 

While the absences of Murray and Porter leave Jokic shouldering a significant offensive burden, Dozier's absence would be a major blow to the Nuggets' perimeter defense. Will Barton and Austin Rivers would be responsible for most of the minutes at the 2 moving forward if the MRI results confirm the initial diagnosis, and Jeff Green could also see a bump in minutes.

Dozier's injury could not have come at a worse time for the South Carolina product, who is set to hit unrestricted free agency next summer. It's likely he will miss at least part of the 2022-23 season recovering if he needs an ACL reconstruction.