The Denver Nuggets are facing uncertainty regarding the status of point guard Jamal Murray after he sprained his right ankle during a 131-121 defeat to the Dallas Mavericks on November 20, 2023. The injury occurred early in the third quarter, prompting concerns from both fans and team officials about Murray’s availability for upcoming games.
Murray initially exited the game but managed to return and finish the third period. However, he did not participate in the final 12 minutes of the match, raising alarms about the severity of his injury. Coach David Adelman stated that Murray will undergo evaluation on November 21. “It’s a huge absence, obviously, offensively,” Adelman commented. “Jamal’s such a tough player. If he sits himself because of the pain, it probably hurts. I’m hoping he can come back for the next game.”
Before the injury, Murray was enjoying a stellar season, averaging a career-high 24 points per game. He concluded the match against the Mavericks with 10 points and 9 assists. Teammate Spencer Jones, who recorded a career-high 28 points, expressed the impact of Murray’s absence, particularly in critical moments. “Everybody knows the deadly pick-and-roll of Mal and Nikola Jokic. We definitely struggled,” Jones said.
Murray’s injury comes on the heels of a challenging period for the Nuggets, who are also without two other starters. Aaron Gordon is sidelined due to a right hamstring injury sustained in Houston on November 21, and Christian Braun is recovering from a left ankle sprain incurred on November 12 against the Clippers. Gordon is projected to return by late December or early January, while Braun is expected to miss at least six weeks.
The absence of both Gordon and Braun has been felt significantly, especially on the defensive end. Despite these challenges, Coach Adelman emphasized that the team possesses enough talent to maintain a competitive edge. “I’m not going to come in here any night and sit down and talk about guys that are out. We have enough here to be more consistent defensively,” he stated.
As the Nuggets prepare for their next game, the health of Jamal Murray will be pivotal in determining their strategy moving forward, especially as they look to break their streak of four consecutive home losses. The team and its supporters are hopeful for a swift recovery for Murray, who played a crucial role in the Nuggets’ success during the previous season, culminating in their first NBA championship.
