Kentavious Caldwell-Pope injures ankle, leaves Nuggets game vs Lakers

The Denver Nuggets went up big in the third quarter vs the Los Angeles Lakers and a big moment was Nikola Jokic finding Kentavious Caldwell-Pope for a fastbreak layup.

But KCP came down hard on his left leg against his former team. The Nuggets’ shooting guard rolled around the floor in pain and left the game immediately.

It is not yet known the seriousness of the injury. The Nuggets say he is questionable to return.

Michael Malone said on the ESPN broadcast that KCP could “maybe” come back into the game.

KCP was traded for this offseason in a deal that sent longtime Nuggets Monte Morris and Will Barton to Washington. The veteran two-guard was already signed to a long-term extension by the Nuggets quickly after the trade.

Coming into Wednesday’s game, KCP had played four games in Denver, scoring 11.5 points per contest on 48% from deep. He was brought in to be one of the team’s stronger defenders and a reliable three-point shooter. And that he has been thus far.

KCP walked off under his own power after being in a lot of pain when he came down wrong from his layup.

Off on his own power with a little help. Deep breaths on this one. pic.twitter.com/XwnCSWyFYM

— Darren McKee (@DMacRadio) October 27, 2022

If Pope misses time Bruce Brown will likely slide into his role but Brown has already been starting for Jamal Murray rest days and on Wednesday because Michael Porter Jr. sat due to injury management.

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