Cancar underwent surgery surgery on his left knee Thursday and is out indefinitely, Vinny Benedetto of The Denver Gazette reports.
Cancar tore his ACL in an exhibition match against Greece while playing for the Slovenian national team in early August. Cancar may miss the entire 2023-24 campaign, but he saw limited playing time for Denver last season, so the Nuggets rotation shouldn't be impacted by the forward's absence.
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Nuggets' Vlatko Cancar: Diagnosed with ACL tear
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Cancar was diagnosed with a torn ACL in his left knee after suffering the injury while playing for the Slovenian national team Friday in an exhibition against Greece, Mike Singer of The Denver Post reports.
A timeline for Cancar's return likely won't be established until he undergoes surgery, but the 26-year-old forward looks poised to miss most, if not all, of the 2023-24 season. With averages of 5.0 points and 2.1 rebounds in 14.8 minutes per game over 60 appearances in 2022-23, Cancar wasn't a vital part of the Denver rotation last season, but his expected absence for the majority of the upcoming campaign could result in rookies Hunter Tyson and Julian Strawther getting more playing time than expected early on.
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Nuggets' Vlatko Cancar: Suffers injury versus Greece
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Cancar suffered a lower body injury during Slovenia's exhibition versus Greece on Friday, Vinny Benedetto of The Denver Gazette reports.
Cancar landed awkwardly on his knee after dunking in traffic during the fourth quarter of Friday's friendly. While it's currently unclear how serious the injury is, Cancar's availability for the FIBA World Cup is now in question.
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Nuggets' Vlatko Cancar: Not starting Game 1
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Cancar isn't starting Game 1 of the Western Conference First Round against Minnesota on Sunday, Alan Horton of the Timberwolves Radio Network reports.
Cancar started Denver's regular-season finale but will unsurprisingly head back to the bench for the start of the playoffs. He was on the fringes of the rotation in recent weeks, so he may not see much of a role during postseason play.
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Nuggets' Vlatko Cancar: Starting Sunday
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Cancar is starting Sunday against the Kings.
Cancar has had an inconsistent role for the Nuggets down the stretch but will start the team's regular-season finale since Denver is resting several of its key contributors. Over eight starts earlier this year, Cancar averaged 9.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.6 assists in 25.4 minutes per game.
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Nuggets' Vlatko Cancar: Cleared to play
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Cancar (ankle) is available for Friday's game against the Suns.
The Nuggets will be without four starters Friday, so Cancar could get an opportunity to play after recently falling behind Jeff Green on the depth chart.
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Nuggets' Vlatko Cancar: Likely to play Friday
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Cancar is probable for Friday's game versus the Suns due to a left ankle sprain.
Cancar is expected to play Friday but is unlikely to affect Denver's rotation. He is averaging 2.0 minutes across his last five appearances.
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Nuggets' Vlatko Cancar: Good to go Thursday
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Cancar (ankle) will play in Thursday's game against the Pelicans.
Cancar was handed a questionable designation due to a sprained left ankle but has received the green light ahead of Thursday's game. Although he has averaged 2.8 minutes per game in his last five appearances, Cancar could see a couple more minutes Thursday with Nikola Jokic (calf) sidelined.
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Nuggets' Vlatko Cancar: Questionable against Pelicans
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Cancar is questionable for Thursday's game versus the Pelicans due to a left ankle sprain.
Cancar tweaked his ankle in Wednesday's practice and could miss Thursday's contest. He has been averaging just 2.8 minutes of action in his last five appearances, so his potential absence is unlikely to affect Denver's rotation.
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Nuggets' Vlatko Cancar: Gets limited playing time Sunday
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Cancar (wrist) played six minutes in Sunday's 122-120 loss to the Nets, finishing with zero points (0-3 FG, 0-3 3Pt) and one rebound.
Cancar was cleared to return from his wrist injury ahead of Friday's game against the Spurs, but he didn't see the floor in a coach's decision during the Nuggets' 128-120 loss. While he received some playing time Sunday, Cancar picked up a flagrant foul and personal foul within a one-minute stretch early in the second quarter and ended up sitting for the entire second half. Cancar looks as though he may be on the fringe of the Nuggets' rotation for the time being.
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Nuggets' Vlatko Cancar: Available to play
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Cancar (wrist) will be available to play Sunday against the Nets.
Cancar was cleared to play Friday but wound up collecting a DNP-CD, so while he'll be available Sunday, that doesn't necessarily mean he'll touch the floor.
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Nuggets' Vlatko Cancar: Probable for Sunday
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Cancar (wrist) is probable for Sunday's game against the Nets.
Cancar was cleared to play Friday against the Spurs but never saw the floor, as the Nuggets opted to roll with Jeff Green.
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Nuggets' Vlatko Cancar: Cleared to play
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Cancar (wrist) is good to go Friday against the Spurs.
The forward will be available after three straight games on the sideline. Jeff Green played well in Cancar's absence, so it will be interesting to see how the second unit looks Friday evening.
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Nuggets' Vlatko Cancar: Questionable against Spurs
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Cancar (wrist) is questionable for Friday's game versus the Spurs.
Cancar's status is uncertain Thursday after missing the previous three games with a right wrist sprain. If the 25-year-old forward is ruled out, his next chance to suit up will be Sunday's matchup with Brooklyn.
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Nuggets' Vlatko Cancar: Out Wednesday
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Cancar (wrist) will not play Wednesday against the Bulls.
This will mark the third straight game on the sidelines for Cancar, which will continue to result in some additional minutes for Jeff Green. Cancar's next opportunity to play will come Friday against the Spurs.
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Nuggets' Vlatko Cancar: Listed as questionable
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Cancar (wrist) is questionable for Wednesday's matchup against the Bulls.
Cancar is in danger of missing a third straight game due to a right wrist sprain. Bruce Brown, Reggie Jackson and Jeff Green have been Denver's top reserves during Cancar's absence.
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Nuggets' Vlatko Cancar: Listed out vs. Raptors
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Cancar (wrist) won't play Monday against Toronto.
Cancar will miss his second straight contest while attending to a right wrist sprain. His next chance to return will arrive Wednesday against the Bulls.
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Nuggets' Vlatko Cancar: Iffy for Monday
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Cancar (wrist) is questionable for Monday's game against the Raptors.
Cancar is in danger of missing a second straight game due to a right wrist sprain. If he's sidelined again, Bruce Brown, Jeff Green and Christian Braun are candidates for increased run off Denver's bench.
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Nuggets' Vlatko Cancar: Won't play Friday
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Cancar (wrist) is out for Friday's game versus the Grizzlies.
Cancar has been downgraded from questionable to out Friday due to a right wrist sprain. Bruce Brown and Jeff Green will likely see extended minutes in the 25-year-old forward's absence. Cancar's next chance to suit up is Monday's matchup with Toronto.
