The 28-year-old Fijian international ruptured his Achilles while training at the Edgar Centre on Monday night.
Whippy made his debut for the franchise in the 83-77 win against defending champions the Southland Sharks in Invercargill on Friday night and shone with a haul of 17 rebounds.
Player-coach Mark Dickel was still trying to come to terms with Whippy's injury yesterday morning.
''I still feel a little bit sick about the whole thing,'' he said.
''I was right there when it happened and all these different thoughts are going through my head.
''I was a huge part of him coming so, on one level, I feel responsible somewhat. I just feel terrible for him.''
Whippy and his wife, Valmene, and 7-month-old daughter Olive have only been in the country just over two weeks.
He was in hospital yesterday awaiting surgery and faces a long recovery.
''I believe the recovery time is between six months to a year but I'm not a doctor, so I don't really know. I'm just going off what I've been told.''
Whippy's physicality and his contribution to team morale will be sorely missed.
''Already in the short time with our team he has proven to be the heart and soul of our team. That is going to be something that is really difficult to replace.
''But when the games come, no-one is going to feel sorry for us. We've got to get in the games and find a way to get wins no matter who is playing.''
Dickel said he had not given any thought to whether the Nuggets would try to find a replacement for Whippy.
The accident itself was ''just one of those things''. Whippy had just been running along when the accident happened. He is holding up well considering the circumstances.
''He is a really stoic person and his wife is also a stoic person. He is not going to show anything but the best.
''He needs a lot of support right now, so that is all I'm thinking about.
''As far as the basketball stuff goes, closer to the game we'll make those decisions as to how we are going cover for what he could do. But there is really no covering for the way he played.''
The Nuggets host the Waitakere Rangers on Saturday night.
