### Nuggets' Cameron Johnson Faces Extended Absence Due to Knee Injury The Denver Nuggets are grappling with a significant injury setback as forward Cameron Johnson is expected to miss **4 to 6 weeks** due to a bone bruise in his right knee. This injury occurred during a recent game against the Dallas Mavericks, where Johnson fell awkwardly while attempting to rebound. Fortunately, an MRI revealed that he avoided any structural damage, but the team is already dealing with the absence of two other starters, Christian Braun and Aaron Gordon, due to their respective injuries. This situation raises concerns about the Nuggets' depth and performance as they head into a crucial part of the season [https://www.newsweek.com/sports/nba/nuggets-provide-underwhelming-injury-update-on-cam-johnson-11269734][https://au.sports.yahoo.com/nuggets-cam-johnson-expected-to-miss-4-to-6-weeks-after-suffering-bone-bruise-in-right-knee-during-loss-to-mavs-report-211703819.html]. ### Breakdown of the Injury Situation and Team Impact 1. **Injury Details**: - Cameron Johnson suffered a bone bruise in his right knee during a game against the Mavericks. - The injury occurred with 9:18 left in the game, leading to his immediate exit [https://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/nuggets_f_cameron_johnson_knee_to_undergo_mri/s1_17045_43245971]. 2. **Current Status**: - Johnson is expected to be sidelined for **4 to 6 weeks** as per reports following the MRI results [https://au.sports.yahoo.com/nuggets-cam-johnson-expected-to-miss-4-to-6-weeks-after-suffering-bone-bruise-in-right-knee-during-loss-to-mavs-report-211703819.html]. - The Nuggets have confirmed that he avoided major injuries, which is a relief for the team [https://www.9news.com/article/sports/nba/denver-nuggets/nuggets-forward-cameron-johnson-avoids-major-knee-injury-but-will-miss-a-few-games-ap-source-says/616-5d5e163e-5b9b-4962-95b5-5a7631077726]. 3. **Team Implications**: - The Nuggets are already missing two starters: Christian Braun (ankle) and Aaron Gordon (hamstring) [https://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/nuggets_f_cameron_johnson_knee_to_undergo_mri/s1_17045_43245971]. - Johnson's absence adds to the team's injury woes, potentially impacting their performance in upcoming games, including a critical Christmas Day matchup [https://www.reporterherald.com/2025/12/24/cam-johnson-knee-injury-christmas-game-nuggets-timberwolves]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Injury Timeline**: - Johnson's injury occurred on December 24, 2025, during a game against the Mavericks. - MRI results confirmed a bone bruise with no structural damage, allowing for a more optimistic recovery outlook [https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/cam-johnsons-mri-reveals-bone-201059185.html]. - **Player Statistics**: - Johnson has been averaging **11.7 points**, **3.6 rebounds**, and **2.4 assists** in 28 games this season, all of which he started [https://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/nuggets_f_cameron_johnson_knee_to_undergo_mri/s1_17045_43245971]. - His performance is crucial for the Nuggets, especially given the current injury crisis. ### Conclusion: Navigating Through Injury Challenges In summary, the Denver Nuggets are facing a challenging period as they deal with multiple injuries, including the recent bone bruise suffered by Cameron Johnson. The key points are: 1. **Johnson's Injury**: Expected to miss **4 to 6 weeks** due to a bone bruise, avoiding major damage [https://au.sports.yahoo.com/nuggets-cam-johnson-expected-to-miss-4-to-6-weeks-after-suffering-bone-bruise-in-right-knee-during-loss-to-mavs-report-211703819.html]. 2. **Team Impact**: The Nuggets are already without two starters, complicating their roster depth [https://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/nuggets_f_cameron_johnson_knee_to_undergo_mri/s1_17045_43245971]. 3. **Upcoming Challenges**: The team must navigate through this injury crisis as they prepare for critical games ahead, including a Christmas Day matchup [https://www.reporterherald.com/2025/12/24/cam-johnson-knee-injury-christmas-game-nuggets-timberwolves]. The Nuggets will need to adapt quickly to maintain their competitive edge in the league during this difficult stretch.