Danilo Gallinari hopes to return from meniscus tear in January

Danilo Gallinari keeps taking shots from the injury gods and keeps getting right back up.

The Denver Nuggets wing hasn't been able to catch a break over the past couple of seasons, with knee issues continually popping up. A torn ACL late in the 2012-13 season required multiple surgeries and an entire year off. Knee soreness early this season sent Gallinari to the sidelines once again, with a meniscus tear eventually being revealed as the root cause.

The Italian underwent surgery on Christmas Eve to repair the tear in his right knee, and while that's a terrible way to spend the holidays, it could have him back on the court later in January. That sounds fast, but Gallinari was already out shooting on Monday and doesn't believe himself to be far from a return.

"In my mind, maybe two weeks," he said. "That's what I'm thinking. But I'm not sure. Maybe it will be three weeks."

The Nuggets have little reason to rush Gallinari back, as they're already stuck at 15-20 and facing a second half of the season that could see them blow things up to a degree.

Gallinari was also sure to point out that he made all 50 free throws he took when shooting around, because that's how he rolls. In 24 games before the injury, Gallinari was averaging 7.8 points and three rebounds in 18.8 minutes, shooting just 36 percent from the floor.