How Will Barton’s injury impacts the Denver Nuggets going forward

How the statistics/in-game performance will be affected

Will Barton was enjoying a very good start to the season, at least on paper, and the Nuggets should probably be a bit worried.

Barton was averaging the third most points per game on the Nuggets(16.5), the third most rebounds per game(5), the third most assists per game(3), the second-best field goal percentage(57.1%), and the best 3-point field goal percentage(55.6%). He also has the second-best OBPM(+4.4), the second most WS/48(.278), the second-best PIE(16.6), and the second-best VORP score(0.2). Somebody on the Nuggets is going to have to step up to replace his impact, especially on offense.

I fully expect the Nuggets to take a step backward on both sides of the court. Barton has never been an exceptional defender, but he has used his athleticism and drive to become a pesky and effective player on the defensive end. While Craig will likely fill the void on the defensive end, there isn’t one player who can quite match his ability to create his own shot and create shots for his teammates.

Unless Jamal Murray and Gary Harris start heating up from beyond the arc, the Nuggets’ three-point percentage will likely take a dive, along with their assists per game, and they may even see an impact in the number of points they score a game.

In conclusion, Will Barton’s injury is not a death sentence for the Nuggets’ season. But it’s not exactly a positive thing either. The Nuggets will struggle to replace his energy on both sides of the court, and their phenomenal start to the season may start to fizzle out. Or they could continue on the incredible streak they have started.

We will just have to wait and see, and hope that Barton makes a speedy recovery.