Jamal Murray only returned to the Denver Nuggets series on Monday after missing four games due to a sore right knee, but at the end of their loss to the Golden State Warriors, Murray suffered what was a much more serious contact. left knee injury.
The game took place on a ride with less than a minute left in the game. The Nuggets pulled through seven and Murray attacked the basket, but as soon as he tried to jump off his leg, he creased on the floor and was in severe pain. He rejected a wheelchair and limped off the floor with help. The Nuggets are getting an MRI from Murray to determine the extent of the injury, Mike Malone, head coach, said after the game.
“Yes, we lost the game, but I think everyone at Jamal thinks and hopes he is doing well,” Malone said.
The Nuggets were one of the hottest teams in the NBA to qualify for Monday’s game. They have won 18 of their previous 24 matches and after the acquisition of Aaron Gordon look like championship candidates. Denver’s new starting lineup with Gordon and Murray outscored opponents on the floor together by 61 points in the first 90 minutes.
“Some of the coaches said when they looked at the replay, it looked like he was expanding it further,” Malone said. “He just came back, he was away four days, he said his knee was bothering him, and he took those four days to try to get right. The first game is obviously just a terrible feeling. He feels good tonight. “Injury is just one of the things you can not control.”
If Murray has to miss a lot of time, Denver’s entire outlook will change in the short term. Without him, they probably have no chance of making a serious run. If the injury is serious enough to cut in the next season, it could also significantly change Denver’s long-term plans. Both Gordon and Michael Porter Jr. have contracts expiring after next season, and the Nuggets may have to make decisions on both without seeing their full list long enough.
Murray was one of the breakout stars of the post-season in 2020. Things looked even brighter for 2021 with Gordon in tow. The entire city of Denver can only hope that this injury was not as serious as it seemed. If that’s the case, change the whole future for a Nuggets team built to win Murray.