The Denver Nuggets have been one of the more impacted teams around the NBA by injuries to key players. Right now, they have Nikola Jokic playing at an elite level but are without Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. available in the lineup.
Murray has been rehabbing from a torn ACL that he suffered in the NBA Bubble and his return to the lineup was considered the Nuggets’ top X-Factor before the 2021-22 season began. Meanwhile, Porter Jr. needing to undergo back surgery is a concern given his injury history but he hasn’t been ruled out for the season.
According to Mark Kiszla of Denver Post, made it clear to ‘not be surprised’ if Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. are both back in uniform for the Denver Nuggets ahead of the start of the NBA playoffs.
With Murray still rehabilitating from an ACL injury and MPJ coming off back surgery in December, there are no guarantees. But anyone who watched them work up a sweat on this dead of winter night has reason for optimism.
Do not be surprised if Murray and Porter get back in uniform to play for the Nuggets by April 1. No fooling.
The impact lost from not having Jamal Murray in the lineup is quite limiting for the Nuggets. Hi ability to score out of ball screens, handoffs, and in off-ball screening actions in addition to isolation and attacking off the catch makes him one of the more versatile scoring threats to pair with a player like Nikola Jokic.
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Michael Porter Jr. still has to develop as a shot creator at the NBA level before reaching the next level of his development, but he brings needed dimensions to the Nuggets’ offense, too. His catch-and-shoot impact at his size makes it a daunting task to try to send extra help against Jokic.
The Los Angeles Lakers have looked sluggish and teams like the Utah Jazz and Phoenix Suns are not unbeatable by any stretch. The Golden State Warriors appear to be potential candidates to emerge out of the Western Conference if Klay Thompson finds a rhythm but there aren’t impossible to take down, either.
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The Denver Nuggets appear to be a real threat to watch for similar reasons if both Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. return successfully. Nikola Jokic is among the top matchup nightmares in the NBA and if he gets the necessary support, he can lead a team far.
