The Denver Nuggets find themselves in a precarious position as the NBA playoffs loom, with star guard Jamal Murray sidelined for the fifth consecutive game due to right hamstring inflammation. Head coach Michael Malone provided a candid update on Murray’s status prior to Sunday’s 125-120 loss to the Indiana Pacers, emphasizing the severity of the injury and its impact on the team’s playoff aspirations.
Addressing reporters, Malone dismissed the notion that the team was being overly cautious with Murray’s recovery. Per. Bennett Durando of The Denver Post relays.
“Jamal’s hurt. It’s not careful. He’s hurt,” Malone said. “So there’s a big difference. Careful is if a guy can play and you want to be smart. We’re not in a situation to do that. There are six teams vying for four (playoff) spots. So if Jamal Murray is not out there, it’s not careful. It’s because he literally just is not able to play at the moment.”
Malone’s comments highlight the urgency of the situation, as the Nuggets navigate a tightly contested Western Conference playoff race. With only four games remaining in the regular season, Denver’s position in the standings is far from secure.
The Nuggets currently hold the fourth seed in the Western Conference, but their grip on that spot is tenuous. Sunday’s loss marked their fourth consecutive defeat, leaving them just half a game ahead of the fifth-seeded Golden State Warriors and one game ahead of the eighth-seeded Memphis Grizzlies. A poor finish to the regular season could see Denver slip into the play-in tournament, a scenario that would add significant pressure to their postseason campaign.
Murray’s absence is a major blow to the Nuggets, who rely on his scoring and playmaking abilities to complement MVP frontrunner Nikola Jokic. Murray has averaged 22 points and six assists per game this season, with his two-man game with Jokic proving to be one of the most effective offensive combinations in the league. Without Murray, the Nuggets have struggled to maintain their offensive rhythm, as evidenced by their recent losing streak.
Malone expressed hope that Murray would be able to return in time for the playoffs, but the uncertainty surrounding his recovery remains a cause for concern.
“Hopefully, he’s able to be back by (the playoffs),” Malone said. “This has been a weird one. It was day-to-day, day-to-day, and then next thing you know, it’s not day-to-day”.
As the Nuggets prepare for their final stretch of games, the pressure is mounting. Jokic continues to deliver stellar performances, but the team will need contributions from other players, including Russell Westbrook and Christian Braun, to stay competitive. Denver’s playoff hopes may ultimately hinge on Murray’s ability to return to the court and regain his form.
