URGENT UPDATE: The Denver Nuggets face a potential crisis as point guard Jamal Murray has sprained his right ankle during a critical match against the Dallas Mavericks, ending with a score of 131-121 on November 27, 2023. The injury occurred early in the third quarter, raising immediate concerns about Murray’s availability for upcoming games.
Murray initially returned after walking gingerly to the locker room but did not take the court for the final 12 minutes of the game. Head Coach David Adelman stated that Murray will undergo evaluation on Tuesday, emphasizing the significant impact of his absence: “It’s a huge absence, obviously, offensively,” Adelman remarked. “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 this game, Murray was averaging a career-high 24 points per game. He managed to score 10 points and provide 9 assists against the Mavericks. Teammate Spencer Jones, who scored a career-high 28 points, reflected on the challenge of losing Murray: “Everybody knows the deadly pick-and-roll of Mal and Nikola Jokic. We definitely struggled,” he stated.
This is not the first injury setback for the Nuggets. Murray previously tore his left ACL late in the 2020-21 season and showcased his talent during the last postseason, averaging 26.1 points and 7.1 assists, helping Denver clinch its first NBA championship. If he is sidelined, Murray will join fellow starters Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun on the bench. Gordon, who is recovering from a right hamstring injury, is not expected back until late December or early January, while Braun is projected to miss at least six weeks due to a left ankle sprain.
Adelman acknowledged the impact of these injuries but emphasized the need for consistency: “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.”
The Nuggets will need to navigate these challenges quickly, as their next game approaches. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see if Murray can overcome this latest hurdle and return to the court. Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.
