Nuggets' Ty Lawson out until after All-Star break with painful rib fracture

Ty Lawson described his fractured rib as the most painful injury in his life. (Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images)

A broken rib suffered Saturday kept Nuggets guard Ty Lawson out of the lineup Monday, and coach Brian Shaw doesn't expect him to return until after the All-Star break.

The Nuggets are scheduled to play Wednesday night in Minnesota and return to action on Feb. 18 at home against the Suns.

"I would imagine it would be a little while," Nuggets coach Brian Shaw said. "I saw when he (got injured), how he writhed in pain, and it took him pretty much until (Monday) to be able to sit up straight. Luckily for us, after (Monday's) game and Wednesday's game we have the all-star break, so that will give us a built-in three, four, five days before our next game."

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Lawson described the injury as one of the most painful experiences in his life but admitted the timing was a positive.

"It couldn't be better timing," Lawson said. "The All-Star break is coming up, so hopefully it will give me time to (miss) these two games and I can rest during the All-Star break."