Nuggets say guard PJ Dozier out for season with torn ACL

DENVER (AP) — The short-handed Denver Nuggets confirmed Wednesday that guard PJ Dozier's season is over after he tore his left anterior cruciate ligament in a

Dozier got hurt when he

The Nuggets have been hit hard by injuries and have lost five in a row after starting out 9-4 despite the absence of star guard Jamal Murray, who isn't expected back from a torn ACL until the spring.

Reigning MVP Nikola Jokic has been out three games with a sprained right wrist, rookie Bones Hyland is out with a sprained right ankle and rising star Michael Porter Jr. has missed several games with a back injury.

The Denver Post reported that Porter has a nerve issue that could require season-ending surgery just months after he signed a five-year, rookie-scale max extension with the Nuggets that is guaranteed for $145.3 million and could be worth up to $172 million.

The Nuggets host the reigning NBA champion Milwaukee Bucks on Friday night at Ball Arena before heading out on a seven-game trip.

__

More AP NBA: https://apnews.com/hub/NBA and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports