The Denver Nuggets were victorious Thursday night in a Finals rematch against the Miami Heat, 103-97, but it wasn’t all good news. Nuggets guard Jamal Murray landed awkwardly on teammate Aaron Gordon, turning his ankle in the second quarter.
Murray remained on the ground for a few minutes, treating his ankle before heading out to the locker room. He was sent off shortly after and obviously did not return to the game. Murray, of course, has a long injury history, and that’s the last thing the Nuggets want to see as the team prepares for another playoff run.
Jamal Murray is ruled out for the remainder of the game with a sprained right ankle. https://t.co/DQBHZScLNz
– Chris Haynes (@ChrisBHaynes) March 1, 2024
Murray has missed time with a sprained ankle in the past and missed more than one season with an ACL injury, but he’s managed to stay healthy over the past two seasons and was an integral part of Denver’s title run last season.
The Western Conference is loaded this year, but even though other teams have come into play, the Nuggets have progressed steadily and have risen to the occasion to pick up wins when necessary. They weren’t always at their best every night, but they showed enough to be conference favorites.
For the most part, this season has felt like a slow, long build-up as the team tries to put itself in the best possible position to compete for another championship. For the most part, everything went according to plan, but health is always the most important thing that stays in the background.
There has been no news on Murray’s ankle yet, and even if he has to sit out for a few weeks, it shouldn’t impact his playoff status. But it is a stark reminder of how easily and quickly everything can go astray.
Nothing is guaranteed in the NBA, and teams that seemed destined to be dynastic have collapsed in the blink of an eye. We hope for the best while we wait for an update on Murray. But don’t forget to enjoy the ride and everything that happens along the way.
As good as this team is and as incredible as Nikola Jokic is, trying to win a title without a player like Jamal Murray would be an uphill battle, to say the least, that might prove too much to overcome .
