Through the first three games of the season, you could make the case that Will Barton was the most important Denver Nugget on the court.

Filling in for an injured Gary Harris, Barton led the team with 18 points per game on 50 percent shooting from the field (57% from three). He also added an additional five rebounds and 2.7 assists per game in 35 minutes of playing time.

Unfortunately, with a sprained ankle, Barton is expected to be out the next seven to 10 days, according to head coach Michael Malone.

At best, that means Barton would miss the Nuggets’ next three games. At worst, it might mean he’s out for the next five or six. With games against the Warriors, Pistons and Trail Blazers in that timespan, they’ll definitely miss No. 5’s offensive firepower.

When he does return, though, it’ll be interested to see where he fits into the lineup. One would expect that Harris would keep the starting job he held all last season, but then how will Michael Malone split the minutes between Barton and rookie Jamal Murray? Barton’s clearly the better player but Murray’s the “future.”