ANOTHER SAD NEWS FOR NUGGETS: Star goes offseason due to injury.

Denver Nuggets guard Kentavious Caldwell-Pope was forced to exit Game 5 against the Los Angeles Lakers midway through the first quarter after suffering a sprained left ankle:

The Nuggets guard was listed as questionable to return for Game 5 with the ankle sprain.

KCP did manage to return to the game several minutes later, but appeared to be laboring through the game and struggling with any quick cuts as the Lakers went on a 9-0 run against the Nuggets. Caldwell-Pope again exited to the Denver locker room with just over three minutes remaining in the first half. There is no word yet if he will be able to return to Game 5 for the Nuggets.

KCP managed to play 12 minutes in the first half for Denver. He went 0-4 from the floor, including missing both of his 3-point attempts. He had 0 points and a lone assist.

The Nuggets can ill afford an injury to Caldwell-Pope. Their other starting guard, Jamal Murray, was deemed questionable on the NBA’s official injury report on Monday due to a left calf strain. It can be recalled that Murray appeared to hurt his leg in the fourth quarter of Game 4, though, he was still able to finish the contest with 22 points, six rebounds, and five assists.