Denver Nuggets guard Julian Strawther has been diagnosed with a left knee sprain and is expected to miss the opening weeks of the 2026-27 NBA regular season, including the season opener against the Oklahoma City Thunder on Oct. 22.

The team announced that Strawther suffered the injury during a preseason matchup against the Los Angeles Clippers and will be sidelined as he undergoes rehabilitation.

Strawther sustained the injury in the third quarter of the game on Oct. 16 when his leg got caught under his body, causing him to bend and land awkwardly. After undergoing an evaluation by the Nuggets' medical staff, it was determined that he had suffered a left knee sprain.

Strawther will be re-evaluated in approximately six weeks to determine if he is healthy enough to resume basketball activities.

Selected by Denver as the 29th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft, Strawther has started 18 games in his career and averaged 7.2 points over 57 appearances last season.