Jamal Murray’s persistent hamstiff damage is worse than afraid.
And its availability for the beginning of the playoffs is unsure. It’s based on Denver Nuggets’ head coach Michael Malone, who defined Murray’s well being earlier than Sunday’s match towards Indiana Pacers.
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The Nuggets dominated Murray earlier than the council for a fifth consecutive match with an damage to the hamstrings which was designated at completely different instances as irritation and stress. Earlier than every of those video games, Murray was listed as questionable Earlier than being excluded on the day of the match.
Malone on Murray: “He’s injured”
Malone spoke on Sunday night with Murray well being journalists. He defined that the absence of Murray towards the Pacers was not only a precaution.
“Jamal is injured,” mentioned Malone, In line with Bennett Durando du Denver Publish. “It isn’t cautious. He’s injured. So there’s a massive distinction. It’s cautious {that a} man can play and that you just need to be clever. We’re not in a scenario to do it.”
Malone was then requested about Murray’s deliberate availability for the playoffs.
“I hope he may be again by then,” mentioned Malone. “It was bizarre. It was daily, daily, then the subsequent factor you realize, it isn’t daily.”
This isn’t what nugget followers need to hear. Together with Sunday, Nuggets nonetheless have 4 video games earlier than the beginning of the playoffs.
Jamal Murray’s well being is crucial to Denver’s hopes to compete for a second NBA championship. (Aaron Oniveroz / The Denver Publish)
(Aaron Ontivieroz through Getty Photos)
Nuggets title hopes at risk if Murray is injured
The well being and availability of Murray are important to Denver’s hopes to compete for a second NBA championship in three seasons. Murray was in good well being and performed throughout the Denver race for the 2023 title.
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He performed within the 20 video games within the playoffs and picked up a mean of 26.1 factors, 7.1 assists, 5.1 rebounds and 1.5 interceptions per match whereas pulling 47.1% on the sector and 39.6% out of three. He hit a number of massive photographs throughout the eliminatory collection, particularly A buzzer drummer to beat the Lakers In match 2 of the Western Convention last.
Nikola Jokić was clearly the catalyst for this title race. However Murray’s efficiency was important to make sure the championship.
Murray performed a veal stump throughout the 2024 qualifying collection. It was not as efficient with averages of 20.6 factors, 5.6 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 0.8 interceptions per sport whereas pulling 40.2% on the sector and 31.5% out of three. The protection of the title of Denver failed throughout a defeat within the second spherical on the Timberwolves of Minnesota.
Murray’s well being was not strictly responsible for the defeat of Denver within the face of a Timberwolves group which gave the nuggets of protection changes and was exceptionally nicely. Nevertheless it performed an necessary issue.
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And if Murray is unavailable or considerably due to his hamstrings within the playoffs, the hopes of Denver to sail within the Western Convention are skinny.
Nuggets have the perfect Jokić basketball participant. However as a lot as he tries, he can not do every thing. And he’s the one All-Star on an inventory constructed with little margin for error.
Murray typically performed like a star within the playoffs. However a group of nuggets taking part in with out Murray, Michael Porter Jr. or Aaron Gordon who runs on all of the cylinders will discover it troublesome to rise above the remainder of a stacked Western convention.
