The primary match of the season between Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves didn’t disappoint, as two of the most effective groups within the Western Convention delivered a bodily, intense and gritty thriller at Goal Middle on Friday night time. In the long run, the sport performed out the identical manner the Western Convention semifinals did final Could…down the stretch, the Timberwolves merely had an excessive amount of for the Nuggets, however this time, Denver was with out their “nearer.”
After the sport, Denver Nuggets head coach Michael Malone expressed frustration that officers missed an apparent foul on the room the place Jamal Murray was injuredEarlier than present a standing replace of its chief.
“I don’t know the way they missed that. He was going to put in a tear display. And his defender, not malicious, it wasn’t a grimy play, however he pushed him,” Malone mentioned, in line with Bennett Durando of the Denver Publish. “It was positively a major success, so clearly we’ll at all times prioritize his well being and security. And ensure he is in the appropriate place. If he is not capable of play, we hope clearly get it again as shortly as doable, however I simply do not wish to speculate as a result of I actually do not know any extra particulars.
Michael Malone added that he is undecided if Jamal Murray will be capable of play back-to-back in Denver on Saturday night time in opposition to the Utah Jazz. However given the potential severity of a head harm like this, it might be fairly shocking if Murray performed in opposition to a winless Jazz.
Nuggets battle down stretch with out ‘nearer’ Jamal Murray
Jamal Murray has had a tough begin to the 2024-25 season. Within the first 5 video games of the yr, he averaged solely 16 factors, 4 rebounds and 4 assists from the sphere. Even worse than the drop in numbers is the staggering drop in area aim proportion. After taking pictures a career-high 48 p.c final yr, Murray is taking pictures simply 37 p.c coming into this season.
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Even nonetheless, Murray has confirmed himself time and time once more to be Denver’s go-to man. late in video games, and that is precisely what they lacked final night time. After trailing by 12 factors early within the 4th quarter, the Nuggets used a 27-5 run in seven minutes to take a 114-104 lead with simply three and a half minutes remaining. However this ten-point lead was not sufficient to permit the Nuggets to take care of the victory.
“Jamal is our nearer,” Aaron Gordon mentioned after the sport. “So when he’s not on the ground, it’s just a bit extra sporadic.”
Over the ultimate three and a half minutes of the sport, the Nuggets turned the ball over thrice and missed all six of their area aim makes an attempt. Because of this, the Timberwolves staged a livid comeback, outscoring Denver 15-2 throughout that span to safe a 119-116 victory.
