The Denver Nuggets were looking to be championship contenders coming into the season, but injuries have kept them from finding their best basketball so far this season. On Friday night, it looked like Denver was headed for another big loss when Jamal Murray left the Knicks early with an ankle injury.
Murray did not return to the game after being subbed off in the second quarter as the game slipped away in the second half, leading many fans to believe that Murray could be out for some time. However, fortunately this is not the case. According to Bennett Durando of The Denver Post, Murray has been listed as day-to-day due to injury and could play in Monday night's game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
Murray would be officially listed as questionable for that game and his status would be cleared before the game.
The Nuggets have suffered one injury after another this season. Nikola Jokic missed a long period of time due to a hyperextended knee, and Cam Johnson missed a long period of time due to the same injury before injuring his ankle. Peyton Watson is currently out with a hamstring injury. Christian Braun could not play for several months due to an ankle injury. Jonas Valanciunas missed time with a calf strain. Aaron Gordon suffered two separate hamstring injuries before returning in a limited capacity Friday night.
Due to all of the team's injuries this season, the Nuggets could not afford to lose Murray for any extended period. The first-time All-Star has been one of the best guards in the Western Conference this season, averaging 25.5 points and 7.2 assists per game. When Jokic was sidelined, Murray led the Nuggets on the offensive end and is a big reason why they are still in the top six in the West.
Even if Murray is out Monday night, he should be back by the end of the week as the Nuggets try to improve their seeding in the West ahead of a very competitive postseason. For the Nuggets to get back to the NBA Finals, they will need a healthy Murray to be a part of it, so this update is a big dose of good news in the Mile High City.
