Denver Nuggets’ Danilo Gallinari delays surgery, may be out until February

February 5, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Danilo Gallinari (8) during the second half against the Milwaukee Bucks at the Pepsi Center. The Nuggets won 112-104. Mandatory Credit: Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

The Denver Nuggets received more bad news today, as if Masai Ujiri leaving wasn’t enough. According to the Denver Post, forward Danilo Gallinari’s return may be delayed about a month.

Gallinari was originally expected to return Jan. 1 but may not return until late January, or even February. The young forward tore his ACL on April 4 and had surgery to repair his meniscus a month ago, but the surgery to repair his ACL has been delayed another two weeks, according to reports.

Gallinari was in the middle of a career season when the injury took place. He averaged over 16 points and over five rebounds before tearing his ACL in a game against the Dallas Mavericks. The Nuggets didn’t miss a beat in the regular season, finishing with 57 wins and earning the No. 3 seed in the playoffs. But the hole Gallinari’s injury left on the team was tough to replace and the Golden State Warriors dropped the Nuggets in the first round.

Wilson Chandler will likely take over the minutes left in Gallinari’s absence. He filled that role through the end of the season and into the playoffs.

For now, a healthy recovery should be of the utmost importance to Gallinari and the Denver Nuggets as a whole.

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