Nuggets' Jamal Murray gets crucial injury update for Game 2 vs. Timberwolves

06/05/2024 18:30

The defending champion Denver Nuggets have their hands full with Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves. After losing Game 1 on their home floor, the Nuggets now face a scenario on Monday night where another loss at home could seal their fate in the NBA Playoffs. To make matters worse, star guard Jamal Murray continues to battle a left calf injury, leaving his Game 2 status in doubt.

As of Monday morning, Murray finds himself on the Nuggets’ injury report and is questionable to play due to a left calf strain. This is an injury that Murray has been dealing with since the middle of their previous series against the Los Angeles Lakers.

In Game 4 of the Nuggets’ first-round series, the star guard was seen somewhat hobbled and bothered by his left calf after attempting a jump shot. Murray remained in the game, but he was questionable to play in Game 5 against the Lakers. He did suit up and play, scoring 32 points and hitting the game-winning basket in a 108-106 series-clinching victory for the Nuggets.

Battling through injuries is nothing new for Murray. He has done so his entire career with the Nuggets, and Murray won’t miss a playoff game unless he absolutely can’t play. That is why, although he is listed as questionable for Game 2 against the Timberwolves, the overarching belief is that Murray will suit up and play.

However, how effective he will be when he isn’t 100 percent, especially against one of the best defensive teams in the league, is the major question mark.

Jamal Murray’s recent struggles

The Timberwolves did an excellent job of not just limiting Murray in Game 1 on Saturday, but the Nuggets as a whole. Denver shot 46.7 percent from the floor and 41.9 percent from three-point range, yet they turned the ball over 12 times and were held to just 99 points. This was their lowest scoring output since March 29. Coincidentally enough, the Timberwolves were the team that held them to 98 points that day.

In regards to Murray, he has struggled in the playoffs despite hitting two game-winning shots against the Lakers in the first round.

Through six playoff games, Murray has averaged 22.5 points per game while shooting just 40.3 percent from the floor and 31.6 percent from three-point range. It does appear as if the wear and tear of the regular season, as well as his calf injury, have been bothering him as of late.

“I’m not going to make no excuses, bro,” Murray said after Game 1’s loss to the Timberwolves, via ESPN’s Dave McMenamin. “Everybody has got nagging injuries. Everybody is playing through something at this point of the season. My calf is no different than anybody else on the team or in the league, honestly. Obviously, it sucks, but it’s not something that I enjoy talking about as part of the loss… The calf is whatever it is.”

If the Nuggets were in the middle of the regular season, it seems like Murray’s current injury is one that would’ve kept him sidelined. Since they are in the playoffs, Murray has fought through his current ailment, doing everything in his power to help his team and MVP favorite Nikola Jokic.

Heading into Game 2, the Nuggets are going to be relying on Murray to carry a lot of the load offensively, especially with the Timberwolves focusing all of their attention on Jokic. Even though all indications point to him suiting up and playing, no official word has been given on Murray’s status as of yet.

The post Nuggets’ Jamal Murray gets crucial injury update for Game 2 vs. Timberwolves appeared first on ClutchPoints.