The Denver Nuggets have had to deal with a never-ending avalanche of injury problems this season, and that has caused some difficulties throughout the 2025-26 season. On Monday night, the Nuggets found themselves in a surprisingly close game against a shorthanded Utah Jazz team that was without Jaren Jackson Jr. and Lauri Markkanen, and they needed a tough effort from Jamal Murray in the end to earn a 128-125 victory on the road.
The Nuggets had some trouble handling Keyontae George, who scored 36 points on the night. But Murray would say that the Nuggets were never really in danger, because he was the "threat" himself. He went 13-19 from the field and 8-13 from beyond the arc to demolish Utah's defense for 45 points as he clarify That the Jazz were not going to walk away from this tournament with anything other than participation points.
"Just more decisive. Pushing my range a little bit. They were a switching team, so when I was open, [I had to] shoot it. That's all we've been doing," Murray told Katie Wing of Altitude Sports after the Nuggets' win over the Jazz. "I've been practicing my whole life. I love getting a chance to show the shots I can make.”
Postgame with Jamal Murray who scored an efficient 45 in the Nuggets' win over Utah pic.twitter.com/ee8ImTPVbK
- Katy Winge (@katywinge) 3 March 2026
Nuggets to get reinforcements soon
The Nuggets have not been healthy all season, but still, they have a healthy record of 38-24 which puts them in fifth place in the Western Conference.
The goal for Denver will always be to stay healthy because games really matter in the postseason, and it looks like they're going to be getting reinforcements soon. The injuries of both Aaron Gordon and Peyton Watson will be reevaluated soon, and Cam Johnson should have ample time to recover between now and the end of the season.
But as long as Murray and Nikola Jokic are healthy, the Nuggets can win every game. Now it's just a matter of finding that rhythm, especially once their key players have recovered.
