After a topsy-turvy 2024 offseason, the Denver Nuggets and reigning MVP Nikola Jokic had been prepared to show the web page and pursue their second NBA title in three seasons. It’s kinda laborious to fathom the chance of that taking place this coming summer time — or even perhaps within the close to future — with the newest harm replace on Jamal Murray.
READ MORE NIKOLA JOKIC: George Karl thinks Nuggets are willingly losing all-time nice’s prime.
In keeping with Vinny Benedetto of The Denver Gazette, Murray’s knee was feeling “humorous” earlier than Sunday night time’s preseason dwelling loss to the Phoenix Suns. The Nuggets apparently believed that it wouldn’t be an issue for Murray and proceeded to play him 19 first-half minutes as they began preparing for the common season.
Whereas the remainder of Denver’s starters stayed on the ground within the third quarter, Murray was subbed out to relaxation his ailment. Oof:
Michael Malone stated immediately Jamal Murray’s knee began feeling “humorous” previous to final night time’s recreation. They figured it was one thing that might dissipate throughout the recreation, however they determined to carry him out of the second half. Murray had huge ice baggage wrapped round his knees immediately.
— Vinny Benedetto (@VBenedetto) October 14, 2024
On the threat of burying the lede, this Murray knee problem actually could possibly be a worst-case state of affairs for no matter’s left of the Nuggets as championship contenders in Nikola Jokic’s prime.
By thick and skinny, the Nuggets have stayed in Murray’s nook. This remained the case even after an terrible postseason and Olympics exhibiting with Workforce Canada. Denver nonetheless wager on Murray getting wholesome and rising to the event as Jokic’s lead operating mate. That’s as a result of it wants him to play like an All-Star-caliber expertise to be among the many NBA’s elite. Every other issues or roster questions they may have pale compared to Murray with the ability to keep on the ground and ship electrical performances night time in and night time out. , the way in which Murray did en path to Denver’s 2023 championship.
So, they gave him a four-year, $208 million extension in mid-September and successfully crossed their fingers. Now, for all intents and functions, Murray will possible be a Nugget till the summer time of 2030. If the 27-year-old is already coping with a brand new knee drawback earlier than Denver is within the thick of its regular-season journey, that’s a nasty omen for him wanting anyplace near a constant franchise participant over the period of his new contract.
The potential undisclosed severity of the harm additionally doesn’t actually matter right here.
Let me put it this fashion. If this is sufficient to hamper Murray in ramp-up motion, then it’s greater than sufficient to be involved about his fast future and whether or not this iteration of Denver will be capable of climb to the highest of the NBA’s mountain once more. At this level, they’ve an excessive amount of dedication to Murray to pivot off of him if issues don’t work out.
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Perhaps that is only a minor setback, because the Nuggets are being rightfully cautious with the second-most essential funding on their roster throughout the preseason. However given Murray’s historical past of illnesses, it’s robust not to think about the ceiling finally caving in on no matter’s left of a title window with Jokic.
