Wilson Chandler Injury: Updates on Nuggets Star's Hip and Return
Denver Nuggets forward Wilson Chandler will be out for the rest of the 2015-16 season after undergoing hip surgery, but is expected to be ready for next season, per Jessica Camerato of BasketballInsiders.com.
Continue for updates.
Chandler Comments on Surgery, Recovery
Monday, Nov. 16
"Appreciate all the kind thoughts and prayers," Chandler said on Twitter. "Surgery was successful. Looking forward to the recovery process, coming back better and stronger!"
Chandler first discussed his disappointment with the surgery news, per NBA.com on Nov. 11:
"I’m incredibly disappointed at this point, I put in so much work over the summer to make myself a better player. I was really looking forward to this year, being out there battling with my teammates, being a part of the change. I dedicated my whole summer to self-improvement and all I had on my mind this off-season and preseason was ‘this was my year, I was going to help this team win.’ So this is very frustrating and heart-breaking to say the least. I just want to say thank you to the whole organization for supporting me at a time like this.
"
Nuggets Have Wing Depth to Handle Chandler's Absence
Chandler, 28, averaged 13.9 points and 6.1 rebounds last season in 78 games. That led the Nuggets to sign him to a four-year, $46.5 million contract extension this past season with a player option for the fourth year.
As Chris Dempsey of the Denver Post noted, Will Barton is expected to play a larger role for the team with Chandler sidelined. Barton averaged 6.8 points and 2.8 rebounds in 58 games last season, though he really shined when the Portland Trail Blazers traded him to Denver, where he averaged 11.0 points and 4.6 rebounds per contest.
The Nuggets also have solid depth in general on the wing, with Danilo Gallinari and Mike Miller also available. While Chandler is a valuable player for the Nuggets and will be sorely missed, Denver is equipped to replace him.
