Alex English Is Lost to the Nuggets

Forward Alex English of the Denver Nuggets, who suffered multiple fractures in his right thumb in Sunday’s loss to the Lakers, will wear a cast on his hand for at least a month.

English underwent surgery at Rose Hospital in Denver Sunday night. The Nuggets’ leading scorer in the playoffs, English won’t play again until next season, although he will be with the team when it arrives this afternoon.

The Lakers, with a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven Western Conference final series, could wrap it up by beating the Nuggets Wednesday night in the Forum.

English, who scored 28 points Sunday, apparently was injured in the third quarter when Kareem Abdul-Jabbar shook himself free from English’s grasp as they were establishing rebounding position.

English is not the only injured Nugget, just the most seriously hurt. The others are Calvin Natt, Mike Evans and Lafayette Lever with knee injuries, Dan Issel with a bruised thigh, and Wayne Cooper with a rib injury. Everyone in that group is expected to play Wednesday night.

Laker Coach Pat Riley said his team was healthy.