Danilo Gallinari: 5 Reasons the Denver Nuggets Need Him Back for the Playoffs

Starters Ty Lawson (five games), Arron Afflalo (four), Timofey Mozgov (12) and Danilo Gallinari (17) have all missed a significant amount of games. Backup Rudy Fernandez (19) is done for the season and needs back surgery. Gallinari, who missed 13 games in February and early March due to a severe ankle injury, has been forced to sit out the last four Nuggets games after fracturing his left thumb against Dallas 10 days ago. For Denver, he's the most significant starter to miss multiple games. The reasons are numerous. Gallo's a scorer, solid passer, team player, runs the break and runs to get back on defense. Plus, his size makes him almost indefensible when he pulls up for a jumper and it allows him to rebound over smaller small forwards. Let's take a closer look at why the Nuggets need Gallinari back for the playoffs—if Denver can hang on and make the postseason, that is. Da Bleacher Report.com