The Denver Nuggets will face the Warriors on Friday as the No. 3 seed in the West. But the picture is not as pretty as it might seem. They have just half a game advantage over the Lakers. Moreover, they are 4-6 in their last ten games. On the other hand, the Warriors, on a W4 streak, are red hot after beating the Lakers. Understandably, the game has massive playoff consequences.

In their loss against the San Antonio Spurs, Denver rested all their starters. That was probably to ensure that the entire team was healthy against the Warriors, with Denver fighting to lock up home-court advantage. Nikola Jokic was cleared, Aaron Gordon was probable, and optimism lingered that Murray would return after missing the previous three games. But just hours before tip-off, the status changed. The official word came down: Jamal Murray, Denver’s vital perimeter option, is out again.

According to the Nuggets’ final injury report, Murray continues to deal with right hamstring inflammation—the same issue that has sidelined him since March 26, when he logged 37 minutes against the Milwaukee Bucks but noticeably favored his leg postgame. That game may have been the tipping point.

Before the injury, Murray played 65 games this season, averaging 21.6 points and 6.0 assists. He improved these numbers since the all-star break to 23.3 points and 5.9 assists while shooting 44.7% from beyond the arc. This, indeed, is bad news for the Nuggets, given how quickly they can slip off the ladder. If the Warriors win and the Lakers defeat the Pelicans, then the Nuggets will slip to the 4th spot. Moreover, in that case, they will have a win percentage of .603, marginally ahead of the Warriors’ .597. In such situations Murray is a hand that Michael Malone trusts.

Back in January, Malone went all out to defend Murray after he registered a 45-point performance against the Mavs after a slump. “I think Jamal has been catching a lot of heat this year. Jamal Murray didn’t pay himself $52 million. We did that as an organization, because we believe in him. We don’t win our first franchise championship without Jamal Murray averaging 21, 10 and 6. You know what I mean?” he had said. Given what’s at stake tonight, his absence looms even larger. So the question is—how does Denver respond in a must-win without one of its biggest weapons?

A Cautionary Pause or Playoff Concern?

Tonight will mark Murray’s fourth consecutive absence. The team initially listed him as “questionable,” but ruling him out before warmups signals one thing: Denver’s training staff isn’t taking chances with the postseason around the corner. And that’s not surprising, given how much the Nuggets rely on his scoring and playmaking.

With Murray sidelined, Coach Michael Malone is expected to lean heavily on a shuffled rotation. Jalen Pickett could see meaningful minutes after his breakout performance earlier this week, and Russell Westbrook will likely have to absorb a larger role in the backcourt. Malone acknowledged the effort it takes to stay competitive without key starters:

“We got down by 20 and stayed with it. We didn’t let go of the rope. We fought… A lot of guys that hadn’t played rotation minutes got a chance tonight… I’m proud of the effort,” he said.

But the biggest burden falls—once again—on Nikola Jokic. The reigning MVP will handle more offensive responsibility, acting as Denver’s point center and offensive engine. Expect the ball to flow through him every possession, especially with the Warriors’ defense keying in.

Golden State, however, is dealing with its own injury concerns. Stephen Curry (bruised tailbone), Jimmy Butler III (forearm strain), and Gary Payton II (thumb) are all listed as questionable for tonight. If any or all of them are ruled out, the game shifts significantly in Denver’s favor. But if they do suit up, it’s bound to be a battle.

If there’s a silver lining, it’s this: The Nuggets are still hoping Murray can return as soon as Sunday’s game against the Pacers. But for now, Denver must figure their way out through one of their toughest tests of the regular season without him—and hope Jokic has enough left in the tank to carry them through.