Kentavious Caldwell-Pope exited Game 5 of the Nuggets’ first-round playoff series with a sprained left ankle, according to the team. He is questionable to return.
The injury appeared to occur as he left his feet for a layup attempt in the first quarter Monday night at Ball Arena. Caldwell-Pope checked out of the game with 4:41 remaining in the frame and was immediately examined by athletic trainers next to Denver’s bench. He then limped down the tunnel toward the locker room.
Caldwell-Pope, the Nuggets’ reliable 3-and-D shooting guard, averaged 9.3 points in the first four games of the series against the Los Angeles Lakers despite entering a 3-point shooting slump after Game 1. He has defended D’Angelo Russell as well as LeBron James at times when Denver has made cross-matching adjustments.
The 31-year-old appeared in 76 regular-season games for the Nuggets. He has a $15.4 million player option this offseason before the second and final year of his contract.
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