Nuggets F Danilo Gallinari back from thumb injury

DENVER (AP) — Danilo Gallinari was back in the Nuggets’ starting lineup Monday night against the Golden State Warriors after missing 10 games because of a broken left thumb.

Gallinari was out nearly three weeks since fracturing the thumb during a game against Dallas on March 19.

Denver coach George Karl said before the game that Gallinari’s return should give the team some added scoring punch.

The Nuggets went 5-5 in Gallinari’s absence and began the day clinging to a one game lead over Phoenix for the eighth and final Western Conference playoff berth.

Meanwhile, the Nuggets said forward Wilson Chandler remains day to day because of a lingering groin strain. Chandler missed his fifth consecutive game with the injury.

The Warriors were without Andrew Bogut (fractured left ankle) and Stephen Curry (sprained right ankle).