Nuggets forward Wilson Chandler did his best to block out the pain and contribute to Denver’s playoff push.
His next chance to contribute will have to wait until next season.
Chandler, who re-signed with the Nuggets on March 18, will miss the remainder of the season because of a labral tear in his left hip. A date for surgery is yet to be determined, but he is expected to be ready for the start of the 2012-13 season.
“I think Wilson is disappointed,” Nuggets coach George Karl said. “He came back here hoping to give us a big boost and he didn’t get many games in. I think in general, it’s a disappointment to him, as it is to us.”
Chandler, 24, averaged 10.7 points and 5.9 rebounds in his first seven games with the Nuggets before missing eight games with the hip injury. He returned against Houston but went scoreless in seven minutes of play.
After meeting with team physicians, the Nuggets and Chandler decided it would be best to have surgery as soon as possible.
“We just have to be patient with him,” Karl said. Hopefully he’ll be able to start getting on the court. I hear it’s about four or five months of rehab.”
Acquired in the 13-player trade between the Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves and New York Knicks on Feb. 22, 2011, Chandler averaged 15.3 points and 5.7 rebounds last season.
He was a restricted free agent last summer and spent several months playing in China, averaging 26.6 points and 11.6 rebounds in 32 games with the Zhejiang Guangsha Lions.
