The Denver Nuggets have been dealt a blow with the news that Ty Lawson could be facing a spell on the sidelines with a broken rib.

Lawson suffered the injury in the defeat to the Detroit Pistons on Saturday night and is almost certain to miss the game against the Indiana Pacers on Monday night.

"You could see it take the wind out of us when Ty came out of the game," Denver coach Brian Shaw told reporters.

"He's our floor leader and he's the one who controls the pace and the tempo of the game."

Lawson has averaged 18 points per game for the Nuggets this season.