Centre Timofey Mozgov leaves game with multiple injuries: Denver Nuggets Update
The incident occurred at the deep end of the first quarter when Oklahoma City Thunder’s forward/centre, Nick Collison inadvertently stepped on the foot of the Denver Nuggets centre, Timofey Mozgov. The collision caused an injury to Mazgov’s left knee and
ankle, who did not contribute to the Nuggets 101-94 defeat, against the Thunder on Tuesday night at the Pepsi Centre.
With 2:44 to go in the opening quarter, Mozgov took a pass from forward Kenyon Martin, and was on his way to the rim for a lay-up shot. However, Collison of the opponent team fell into him, while trying to withdraw his shot. Mozgov fell down to the floor
in severe pain.
The 24-year-old Russian basketball player was then taken to the locker room, and was expected to return to the court but the injury appeared to worsen. Mozgov did not return for the remaining period and was unable to put weight on his foot afterwards.
Mozgov’s MRI reports were negative and he was allowed to miss at least a game or two prior to the playoffs.
The athletic 7-foot-1 Russian basketball player was traded from the New York Knicks because of the popular “Melo trade” - a three-way blockbuster deal. The Knicks were unwilling to give him up; the Nuggets on the other hand were interested to have Mozgov
in their squad in any case. Finally, the Nuggets agreed in exchange for forward Carmelo Anthony.
The Nuggets Coach, George Karl said that he is happy that the 'Deal or No Deal' of Anthony was finally over. He said, "I'm glad it’s over." "I'm glad it's an opportunity to reinvent. I think everybody handled it as classy as you could handle it. There's
some sadness to it, there always will be."
Mozgov’s best game since his trade came in a hard-fought 95-90 victory against the Los Angeles Lakers on Sunday night at Staples Centre. He came off the bench with five points and six assists for the Nuggets. In addition to that, he is averaging 2.3 points
and 1.3 rebounds and, shooting 54.5 percent from the field in his previous ten games of this season.
The absence of Mozgov with the playoffs ahead is undoubtedly a big deal for the Nuggets as he is one of the top-25 offensive rebounders of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He can provide the opponent team with some tough time on the court and can
convert any unfavourable condition into a productive one.