Barton (ankle) is listed as out for Thursday's game against the Timberwolves, BSN Denver's Harrison Wind reports.

EDGE Analysis

While X-rays came back negative on the sprained left ankle Barton suffered in Monday's loss to the Raptors, the 25-year-old noted that the sprain was still quite painful, so don't be surprised if he remains sidelined for at least a few games. Barton has been filling in as the Nuggets' starting shooting guard in place of Gary Harris (groin) to begin the season, but with him and Harris unlikely to suit up Thursday, it's expected that rookies Jamal Murray and Malik Beasley will be asked to cover most of the minutes at the position. Murray is the top candidate to enter the starting lineup.

Barton (ankle) is dealing with a mid-ankle sprain, and X-rays returned negative, the Denver Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

The good news is Barton avoided any structural damage, but he acknowledged after Monday's game that he's in considerable pain. "It's just sore, a bad sprain, a real bad sprain," Barton said. "My foot stepped on one of the big guys' feet from Toronto and just turned as soon as I touched it." Barton was spotted on crutches after the game, but the forward stopped short of ruling himself out for Denver's next game Thursday in Minnesota. At this point, however, it seems rather unlikely that Barton would be able to play.

Barton said his ankle sprain is bad, Christopher Dempsey of The Denver Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Barton had to be helped back to the locker room during Monday's game against Toronto, and while X-rays came back negative, it sounds as if he may still miss time. The team has merely deemed him day-to-day even though he needed crutches to get around after Monday's contest. Barton stopped short of ruling himself out for Thursday's game in Minnesota, saying he'll know more Tuesday when he sees how the ankle responds overnight. He's been filling in for Gary Harris (groin) in the starting lineup.

Barton left Monday's game against the Raptors with a sprained left ankle and was unable to return.

EDGE Analysis

Barton already underwent an X-Ray on his ankle, which came back negative, so it appears he's avoided a serious injury. With that said, he very well could miss some time if he has any lingering pain or swelling, so stay tuned for further information over the coming few days. Barton finished Monday's outing with 16 points (5-7 FG, 2-2 3Pt, 4-5 FT), four rebounds, three assists and a block over 30 minutes.

Barton started at shooting guard and produced 22 points (7-12 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 6-6 FT), five rebounds and two assists across 35 minutes in Wednesday's 107-102 win over the Pelicans.

EDGE Analysis

With Gary Harris (groin) sidelined, Barton received the appointment to the top unit as expected and took on a higher-usage role than he'd normally receive off the bench, finishing second on the Nuggets in scoring and third in shot attempts. Unfortunately for Barton his run in the starting five could be short lived, as Harris has been recently cleared for full practices and may be ready to make his season debut in the Nuggets' next game Saturday against the Trail Blazers. Harris' impending return will dim Barton's outlook a bit, but he'll still be worth owning in most fantasy formats even if he's limited to a 25-to-30 minute role as the Nuggets' sixth man.

Barton is expected to start at shooting guard in place of Gary Harris (groin), Harrison Wind of BSN Denver reports.

EDGE Analysis

Harris has officially been ruled out for the opener, meaning either Barton or rookie Jamal Murray will move into the starting lineup. While coach Mike Malone is yet to make an announcement, the more experienced Barton appears to be the favorite. Regardless, both players should be in for increased workloads so long as Harris remains out of the lineup.

Barton tallied 17 points (6-12 FG, 2-3 3Pt, 3-5 FT), seven assists and two rebounds across 30 minutes in Sunday's 106-97 preseason win over the Trail Blazers.

EDGE Analysis

With Gary Harris (groin) sidelined, Barton has stepped into the starting five over the last two games and has been dynamite, averaging 15.7 points, 3.2 assists, 2.7 rebounds and 1.2 treys over 28.7 minutes per game. He'll likely see a few more minutes in the regular season if Harris remains unavailable, but his stay with the top unit could be brief. Harris was given a three-to-four week recovery timetable after suffering the injury Oct. 3, so even if he's held out of the season opener, he's not expected to miss much time beyond that.

Barton contributed 11 points (5-9 FG, 1-2 3Pt), four rebounds, four assists and a steal over 25 minutes in Friday's 129-128 preseason overtime loss to the Warriors.

EDGE Analysis

Barton could potentially man the starting two-guard spot for the first few weeks of the season while Gary Harris (groin) is sidelined, although that arrangement has yet to be finalized. The fifth-year pro has often proven to be more effective when coming off the bench, a primary reason why coach Mike Malone might choose to keep Barton in his second-unit role despite Harris' absence. At any rate, he's at least gotten the preseason off to an excellent start, with double-digit scoring outputs in all four contests to date and a 46.8 percent tally (22-for-47) from the field over that span.

Barton will not play in Wednesday's preseason matchup with the Timberwolves, Kyle Ratke of Timberwolves.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Barton, Emmanuel Mudiay, Jusuf Nurkic and Danilo Gallinari are all getting the night off for rest, as coach Michael Malone wants to get a better look at some of the guys lower on the current depth chart. He should be back in the lineup come Friday's outing versus the Warriors, but look for Jamal Murray, Malik Beasley and Axel Toupane to potentially see more minutes Wednesday while he's sidelined.

Barton went for 20 points (6-14 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 6-6 FT), three rebounds, two assists and two steals over 31 minutes in Friday's 101-97 preseason victory over the Lakers.

EDGE Analysis

The fifth-year pro, slated to start the season as the starting two-guard in Gary Harris' (groin) absence, posted his second consecutive double-digit scoring effort to open the exhibition slate. Barton has provided his share of eye-opening performances off the bench over the last couple of seasons, but has at times also underwhelmed when he's received starting opportunities. However, he should be more than adequate as Harris' short-term replacement before sliding back into the sixth man role he's so frequently excelled in once the latter is recovered.