Denver Nuggets' Point Guard Jamal Murray to Remain Sidelined for Several Weeks
The Denver Nuggets will be without All-Star point guard Jamal Murray for the remainder of this month due to a right hamstring injury. Despite this, the team is still performing well, recording an impressive 8-1 start to the season. They have the best record in the NBA and a perfect 5-0 at their home court at Ball Arena in Denver.
The Nuggets initially won their first four games before experiencing their first loss against the Minnesota Timberwolves. However, they bounced back by claiming four straight victories, two of which were secured without Murray in the lineup.
Prior to his injury, Murray averaged 18.7 points and 8.7 assists per game, in addition to shooting 43.8% from the 3-point range.
Injury Sidelines Murray
In a match against the Chicago Bulls on Saturday, Murray sustained a right hamstring injury. Despite playing for 10 minutes, he only managed to score two points before being substituted out of the game. Backup point guard Reggie Jackson stepped in for him, producing 16 points in 25 minutes as the Nuggets emerged victorious by a 22-point margin.
Murray encountered the same injury during the preseason and missed some time as a result. The Nuggets are being cautious with their star player and plan on shutting him down for up to four weeks of recuperation.
"This will be longer than we would like," remarked head coach Mike Malone. "You have to have the big picture in mind. Make sure we're putting him in position to get healthy before he comes back."
Jackson, who joined the Nuggets late last season, has played a key role in Murray's absence, posting 14.3 points per game in these matches. As the starting point guard, he will fill in for Murray for the time being.
As the team waits for Murray to recover from his injury, other guards might be given additional playing time. This includes Christian Braun, the second-year guard who averages 7.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game, and rookie Julian Strawther from Gonzaga, who averages 5.9 points per game. Second-round draft pick Jalen Pickett could also see more court time in Murray's absence.
During the 2021-22 season, Murray missed the entire campaign due to a torn ACL and subsequent knee surgery. Although it took him some time to rediscover his form, he impressively returned to his top form before the playoffs.
Nuggets Seek Back-to-Back Titles
The Nuggets' luck with injuries last season, particularly with Murray and Michael Porter Jr., was a significant factor in their franchise's first NBA Championship win. Nikola Jokic took home the 2023 NBA Finals MVP award due to his remarkable postseason performance. Similarly, Murray excelled in the playoffs, averaging 26.1 points, 7.1 assists, and 5.7 rebounds in 20 games. He shot 39.6% from the 3-point range and made 92.6% of his free throws. Murray torched the Los Angeles Lakers and amassed 32.5 points per game in the Western Conference finals.
The Nuggets finished with a 53-29 record the previous season, capturing the top seed in the Western Conference playoffs. With a projected win total of 53.5, they were tied with the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks as the contenders with the highest tally. The team is currently +450 odds to successfully defend their title from last season. The Celtics, at +370, and the Bucks, at +425, are considered contenders with better odds than the Nuggets.
The Nuggets are heavily favored to win the Northwest Division once again, betting odds of -475 indicating their dominant position in this regard. The Timberwolves, +600, pose the closest competition, followed by the Oklahoma City Thunder with +700 odds. Karl-Anthony Towns of the Timberwolves has been in the news due to potential trade deals, but he has helped his team achieve the third-best winning percentage in the Western Conference.
The Nuggets also have favorable odds, +220, of winning the Western Conference crown for a second consecutive season. They lead the Phoenix Suns, +330, Golden State Warriors, +600, and Los Angeles Clippers, +700. The Clippers gained a boost in their odds after acquiring James Harden in a trade involving the Philadelphia 76ers.
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Source: www.casino.org
