Nuggets' JaVale McGee out for season with leg injury
- Denver Nuggets center JaVale McGee finally ruled out for season%2C team announce Thursday
- McGee%2C ruled out indefinitely in November%2C was found to have stress fracture%2C requiring surgery
- 7-0 talented big man has averaged 8.7 points%2C 5.7 rebounds%2C 1.9 blocks per game for his career
Denver Nuggets center JaVale McGee finally has been ruled out for the season, the Nuggets announced Thursday, more than three months after going down with a stress fracture in his left leg.
The 7-foot center went down in early November but didn't have surgery until Thursday morning, after the stress injury in his tibia was revealed to be a fracture. He played five games this season, averaging 7.0 points and 3.4 rebounds a game.
"While it's disappointing that we won't have JaVale back on the court this season, we're happy that he can move forward in his recovery," Nuggets general manager Tim Connelly said in a news release.
McGee, whose talent has been mired in inconsistency, has career averaged of 8.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.9 blocks a game in six seasons with the Washington Wizards and Nuggets. He was expected to take the starting reins this season for the Nuggets, who picked him up in a trade that sent veteran Nene to the Wizards in 2012.
J.J. Hickson and Timofey Mozgov will continue to split minutes at center for the Nuggets.
The Nuggets also delayed surgery for small forward Danilo Gallinari, who is out for the season after knee surgery. Point guard Nate Robinson also is out for the season with a knee injury.