Jamal Murray’s Injury Looms Over Nuggets as Playoffs Approach

DENVER, Colorado — Jamal Murray is set to miss his fifth straight game for the Denver Nuggets due to a strained right hamstring, raising concerns as the NBA playoffs approach. Coach Michael Malone expressed hope that the star point guard would be available for the postseason, which begins next week.

Malone clarified that the decision to keep Murray out is not a precautionary measure but rather a result of legitimate injury woes, stating, “Jamal’s hurt. It’s not careful. He’s hurt.” He added, “This has been a weird one. It was day-to-day, day-to-day. The next thing you know, it’s not day-to-day. So, obviously a big loss for us.”

Entering Sunday, the Nuggets were experiencing a three-game losing streak and closely trailing in a competitive Western Conference, sitting just a game ahead of the eighth-place team. Without Murray, Denver has utilized backup point guards Russell Westbrook and Jalen Pickett, along with Christian Braun stepping in at times as the starter.

The 28-year-old Murray has averaged a career-high 21.6 points this season but has faced injury struggles over the past year, including a sprained ankle during the previous playoffs and an underwhelming performance in the 2024 Paris Olympics. Despite these setbacks, Malone expressed confidence in the team’s ability to adapt, saying, “If Jamal is unable to go, we need other guys to step up and play desperate and play urgent.”

As the Nuggets prepared to face the Indiana Pacers, Malone was cautious yet optimistic regarding Murray’s potential return. “Hopefully, he’s able to be back by (the playoffs),” Malone said. “This has been a weird one. It’s difficult when you’re a team trying to compete for playoff positioning and you have an essential player sidelined.”

The Pacers are also facing their challenges, missing star forward Pascal Siakam due to a right elbow injury. Indiana head coach Rick Carlisle acknowledged the difficulty of facing the Nuggets, especially with Nikola Jokic‘s impressive all-around play, which could see him become the first player to finish in the top three for scoring, rebounds, and assists in the same season.

Malone faced questions about the team’s performance while managing injuries. He emphasized the importance of Westbrook’s leadership, particularly without Murray. “We wouldn’t be where we are right now, in fourth place with four games to go, if it wasn’t for Russell this year,” Malone said. “We need him to come into the game, provide a spark, bring energy.”

With the playoffs looming and the Nuggets holding a precarious position in the standings, the organization and fans alike remain anxious about Murray’s health as they strive for success in this year’s postseason.