UPDATE: Denver Nuggets’ star point guard Jamal Murray has sprained his right ankle during a tough 131-121 loss to the Dallas Mavericks on November 27, 2023. The injury occurred early in the third quarter, raising immediate concerns for the Nuggets as they navigate a challenging start to the season.
Murray walked gingerly to the locker room after the injury but returned to finish the period. However, he did not participate in the final 12 minutes of the game, leaving the Nuggets without a crucial offensive asset. Nuggets’ head coach David Adelman confirmed that Murray will undergo evaluation on Tuesday, emphasizing the impact of his potential absence: “It’s a huge absence, obviously, offensively,” Adelman stated.
Before the game, Murray was enjoying a career-high average of 24 points per game. He ended the night with 10 points and 9 assists, a stark contrast to his usual performance. Teammate Spencer Jones, who scored a career-best 28 points, noted the critical nature of Murray’s role in the team’s play, especially in their signature pick-and-roll with Nikola Jokic.
Murray’s injury adds to the Nuggets’ list of challenges, as they are already missing fellow starters Aaron Gordon due to a right hamstring injury and Christian Braun with a left ankle sprain. Gordon, injured on November 21, is not expected to return until late December or early January. Braun, who sprained his ankle on November 12, is projected to miss at least six weeks. The absence of both players has been felt, particularly in defensive matchups.
Adelman addressed the team’s defensive struggles, stating, “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.”
As the Nuggets look to recover from this loss and the injuries, all eyes will be on Murray’s evaluation tomorrow. This situation is developing, and fans are anxiously awaiting updates on the health of their star player. What happens next will be crucial for the Nuggets as they aim to bounce back in a highly competitive NBA landscape.
