UPDATE: The Denver Nuggets are facing a critical situation as star point guard Jamal Murray sprained his right ankle during a challenging 131-121 loss to the Dallas Mavericks on November 27, 2023. This injury occurred early in the third quarter, raising immediate concerns about his availability for upcoming games.
Murray initially walked gingerly to the locker room but returned to finish the quarter. However, he did not appear for the final 12 minutes of the match, heightening fears about his condition. Nuggets coach David Adelman confirmed that Murray will undergo evaluation on Tuesday to determine the severity of the injury.
“It’s a huge absence, obviously, offensively,” said Adelman. “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.”
Prior to the injury, Murray was averaging a career-high 24 points per game, finishing the match with 10 points and 9 assists. His absence, if prolonged, could significantly impact the Nuggets’ performance as they struggle through their fourth consecutive home loss.
Teammate Spencer Jones, who scored a career-high 28 points in the game, acknowledged the impact of Murray’s injury. “It definitely was a hit, especially coming down the stretch. Everybody knows the deadly pick-and-roll of Mal and Nikola Jokic. We definitely struggled,” he said.
Murray’s injury follows the absence of other key players. Fellow starters Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun are already sidelined—Gordon due to a right hamstring injury sustained on November 21, expected to be out until late December or early January, and Braun with a left ankle sprain projected to miss at least six weeks since his injury on November 12.
The Nuggets are now facing a crucial juncture in their season, with injuries to significant defenders impacting their overall strategy. Adelman stated, “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 prepare for their next game, all eyes will be on Murray’s evaluation results. Fans and analysts alike are waiting with bated breath to see if he can return to action or if the team will need to adjust their strategy without him. This developing situation remains critical as the Nuggets look to turn around their current losing streak.
