Jamal Murray Sprains Ankle in Nuggets’ Urgent Loss to Mavs

UPDATE: The Denver Nuggets are facing a significant setback as star point guard Jamal Murray sprained his right ankle during a 131-121 defeat against the Dallas Mavericks on November 27, 2023. This injury raises immediate concerns for the Nuggets as they struggle with maintaining their competitive edge.

Murray sustained the injury early in the third quarter while attempting to drive to the basket. After a brief exit to the locker room, he returned to play but did not take the court during the final 12 minutes of the game, a critical stretch that ultimately led to Denver’s fourth consecutive home loss. Coach David Adelman stated that Murray will be evaluated on November 28, heightening the urgency surrounding his condition.

“It’s a huge absence, obviously, offensively,” Adelman remarked. “Jamal’s such a tough player. If he sits himself because of the pain, it probably hurts. I’m hoping he can come back for the next game.”

Before the injury, Murray was averaging a career-high 24 points per game this season. He finished the match with 10 points and 9 assists, but his absence was felt deeply by the team. Teammate Spencer Jones noted the impact, stating, “Everybody knows the deadly pick-and-roll of [Murray] and [Nikola Jokic]. We definitely struggled.” Jones himself scored a career-high 28 points in the game.

This injury adds to the Nuggets’ woes as they also face the absence of fellow starters Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun. Gordon, sidelined with a right hamstring injury since November 21, isn’t expected back until late December or early January. Braun is recovering from a left ankle sprain sustained on November 12, with a projected return timeline of at least six weeks.

Both Gordon and Braun are key defenders for the Nuggets, and their missing presence has been noticeable, particularly in tight games. Coach Adelman emphasized the need for resilience, stating, “I’m not going to come in here any night and sit down and talk about guys that are out. We have enough here to be more consistent defensively.”

The immediate future of the Nuggets hinges on Murray’s health. As fans and players alike await the evaluation results, the team must prepare for upcoming games without some of their most critical players. The Nuggets’ next matchup is vital as they seek to break their losing streak and regain momentum in the league.

Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops, particularly regarding Murray’s condition and the Nuggets’ strategy moving forward.