Denver Nuggets forward Kenneth Faried has missed the team’s past four games due to spasms in his back. Prior to Saturday’s game against the Charlotte Hornets, head coach Michael Malone gave an update on the Manimal’s condition.

“He’s in some pain,” Malone explained to the media. “He didn’t travel with us on that two-game road trip. He’s still in rough shape. I’m not expecting him to come back in the next couple of days.”

In his absence, the Nuggets have opted to use Wilson Chandler as the team’s starting and primary power forward. In that span, the Nuggets have a record of 2-2.

Faried has been a solid complimentary player for Denver, especially after being re-paired with center Nikola Jokic. Faried is averaging 10.1 points and 7.4 rebounds per contest since the turn of the new year.

The Nuggets have 20 games remaining on the schedule, and currently, hold a two-game lead on the Western Conference’s eighth and final playoff spot.