DENVER | Jamal Murray is edging closer to a return from a hamstring injury and will join the Denver Nuggets on their upcoming five-game trip.
Nuggets trainer Michael Malone mentioned Thursday after observe that he wasn’t positive if his dynamic level guard would play all the way through the lengthy street tour that kicks off Friday at New Orleans as a part of the In-Season Tournament.
“But I know from all the reports I’m getting, he’s really working hard to get back and making positive strides every day,” mentioned Malone, whose group is 2-0 within the inaugural in-season event up to now.
Murray and two-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic helped information the Nuggets to the franchise’s first championship closing season. Murray averaged 26.1 issues all the way through a postseason run wherein the Nuggets went 16-4.
The 26-year-old Murray used to be off to a scorching get started this season, averaging 16.3 issues and 7.4 assists, when he tweaked his hamstring on Nov. 4 towards Chicago. The group has been taking a wary manner along with his restoration. Murray overlooked all of the 2021-22 season as he recovered from a torn ACL.
Denver has long gone 3-1 up to now in Murray’s absence, with veteran Reggie Jackson taking his position within the beginning lineup. Jackson has averaged 14.8 issues over the span to assist the Nuggets keep atop the Western Conference standings (9-2).
“When guys go down to injury, especially when a guy is out for an extended period of time, you need guys to step up,” Malone mentioned. “Reggie is a veteran. He’s played a lot of big games in his career. And the job he’s done stepping in with that starting unit, and also anchoring that second unit — he’s just been terrific across the board.”
Rookie Jalen Pickett noticed his position enlarge in a win over the Los Angeles Clippers on Tuesday night time, when he had 5 issues in just about 17 mins of motion. He mentioned the guidelines from Murray had been instrumental in lessening his studying curve.
“He’s been telling me stuff since this summer,” defined Pickett, the thirty second general pick out within the 2023 draft out of Penn State. “Seeing (Murray) just come into that leadership role, even though he’s hurts, and to still be on the bench and helping me is great.”
Collin Gillespie has additionally observed extra enjoying time in Murray’s absence after sitting out closing season whilst he recovered from a damaged leg. Gillespie performed a season-high 20 mins in a loss at Houston closing Sunday (he didn’t play towards the Clippers).
Michael Porter Jr. believes getting the more youthful gamers time on the courtroom now — together with Julian Strawther — will most effective repay later.
“It’s a long season and there’s going to be guys that miss games,” Porter mentioned. “And when guys have reps, different roles, it’s always good. So I think it’s been good for a lot of different guys, not just Reggie, but Collin, getting some minutes, Jalen getting some minutes. A lot of different guys have stepped up.”
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