Nuggets Injury Update: Is Jamal Murray Playing Saturday vs Blazers? Availability Report After Scary Ankle Sprain

The Denver Nuggets have been on a hot streak recently. They have won 4 of their last 5 games and are looking to finish the regular season with a bang. Unfortunately, the defending Champions’ goal to end the season strong might be in jeopardy as their superstar guard Jamal Murray finds himself in the latest injury report.

Murray suffered an alarming ankle sprain in the closing minutes of yesterday’s game against the New York Knicks. Murray rolled his ankle as he tried to penetrate the Knicks’ defense. He immediately fell to the floor and left the game after head coach Mike Malone called a time-out. As the Nuggets hit the road to face the Portland Trail Blazers tomorrow, Jamal Murray has been listed as questionable on the injury report and might not suit up for the game.

The severity of Murray’s injury is unknown, and Denver would not want to risk further injury by rushing his return. Murray’s ankles have been his Achilles heel throughout his career. He has missed 16 games this season alone due to multiple leg injuries. Nikola Jokic and Co. have a 9-7 record without Murray in the lineup. If Jamal Murray is unable to play tomorrow, that could cause some notable hindrances for the Nuggets.

Missing the Blazers clash will also put Murray on the cusp of ineligibility for the regular season awards due to the 65-game rule. Murray is technically already ineligible despite missing only 16 games because he failed to clock in 15 minutes on two occasions. The Nuggets could appeal against it at the end of the season to get an official ruling. However, missing tomorrow’s game will put Murray only one game shy of failing the 65-game criteria.

Denver hopes Jamal Murray’s crucial return in time for post season spectacle

The Nuggets cannot afford to lose Jamal Murray at this stage of the season. He has been their second-best player all season and a perfect co-star to Nikola Jokic. Murray is averaging 20.9 points, 6.7 assists, and 4.1 rebounds this season. Denver needs Murray’s offensive prowess and playmaking ability to grab the top seed in the Western Conference. They have a chance to overtake the top-seeded OKC Thunder in the final 12 games of the season.

Murray’s productivity has even increased recently. He has averaged 22.7 points, 8.2 assists, and 5.3 rebounds in his last 10 appearances. Even during yesterday’s Knicks clash, Murray led the Nuggets to victory before he got injured. He finished with 23 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists. The NBA World is aware of what Murray can do in the playoffs. He is one of those players who plays better in the post-season. Hopefully, Murray can stay healthy for the rest of the season and help Denver’s dream of attaining back-to-back Championships.

Read More: Jamal Murray Watching UFC 299 on ‘Khabib’s Russian Link’ Sends Israel Adesanya, Megan Olivi and UFC World Into a Frenzy