Jamal Murray took part in specific aspects of the team’s practice on Tuesday, as disclosed by coach Michael Malone, but refrained from engaging in live action. The current status of Murray’s injury and its implications for the remainder of the season remain uncertain.
The Nuggets’ point guard is set to accompany the team to Los Angeles, where an assessment of his ankle’s condition will take place on Wednesday morning. The outcome of this evaluation will determine his eligibility to participate in the game against the Clippers at 8 p.m. MT, airing on ESPN.
“If he’s able to give us some minutes tomorrow night, that’d be great,” Malone said.
Jamal Murray’s recent official injury report designates a right ankle sprain as the cause for his absence. In the past two games, he has been sidelined after turning his ankle a mere two minutes and 19 seconds into his return from a right hamstring strain last Wednesday. Despite previously being out for 11 games due to the hamstring issue, coach Malone has confirmed that it is no longer a concern, emphasizing that any ongoing absence for Murray is solely attributed to his current ankle condition.
“Hamstring’s fine. I’ve worked enough to get it back to strength,” Murray said after his return last week, frustrated by the immediate setback to his health. “Now it’s just another thing.”
The 26-year-old point guard, Jamal Murray, faces significant implications if he misses five more games in the current regular season. Such an absence would render him ineligible for end-of-year accolades like All-NBA teams, consequently preventing him from signing a supermax contract during the 2024 offseason. Despite being eligible for a three-year, $145 million extension last offseason, set to commence in 2025-26, Murray did not sign such an extension.
Murray’s supermax eligibility hinges on achieving All-NBA honors for the first time in his career. The NBA’s new collective bargaining agreement, effective this season, has eliminated positional distinctions in All-NBA teams, potentially enhancing Murray’s chances in a competitive landscape of elite guards, provided he can maintain his health.
In Murray’s absence, the Nuggets, with a current record of 14-7, have posted a 7-6 record, relying on Reggie Jackson as their starting point guard. Jackson’s performances during these 13 starts have been notable, averaging 16.3 points, 5.3 assists, 2.8 rebounds, and 1.9 turnovers with an impressive shooting percentage of 53.8% (44.4% from 3-point range). Murray, in his eight games this season, has also averaged 16.3 points but with a shooting percentage of 41.4%.
If Murray misses the upcoming game against the Clippers, there is a silver lining with Reggie Jackson’s prowess against his former teams. In a recent matchup, Jackson recorded his fourth career 35-point game, contributing 13 assists to lead the Nuggets to a noteworthy victory in Los Angeles, even without Murray, Nikola Jokic, or Aaron Gordon in the lineup. Jackson has demonstrated elevated performance levels against his former teams, averaging 24.7 points on 68.9% shooting and 7.7 assists in three games this season against the Clippers and Pistons.
“You have to give Reggie Jackson (credit). I can’t say enough great things,” Malone said. “Just look at Reggie’s numbers on the season and the last five. What he’s doing is just incredible. His efficiency with Nikola and (DeAndre Jordan) in pick-and-rolls. His efficiency in terms of shooting the basketball. Could not be more proud of Reggie and the way he’s played, whether it’s behind Jamal or starting in place of Jamal. So if Jamal’s ready, great. If not, we’ll continue to find ways to go out there and compete.”