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UPDATE: Jan. 16, 7:31 p.m. — Murray is expected to miss multiple games, The Athletic reported Thursday evening.
Testing on Nuggets guard Jamal Murray’s sprained left ankle returned clean today and he is expected to miss multiple games, league sources tell @ShamsCharania and me.
— Nick Kosmider (@NickKosmider) January 17, 2020
UPDATE: Jan. 16, 1:13 p.m. — Murray has been ruled out for Thursday’s game vs. the Golden State Warriors. Monte Morris will start.
Malone on Monte Morris, who will step into Denver’s starting lineup for Murray: “I trust Monte Morris 1000%.” pic.twitter.com/cRP7GnXhBY
— Harrison Wind (@HarrisonWind) January 16, 2020
The Nuggets didn’t need Murray to easily take care of the Hornets last night, but it’s still a big blow. Denver is now without both Murray and Gary Harris, who missed the game vs. Charlotte. So Morris and Barton will start in the backcourt and Torrey Craig will also remain in the starting lineup in place of Paul Millsap. The Nuggets’ depth is being tested and they appear to be well equipped to weather that storm.
Jamal Murray (left ankle sprain) is now officially listed as OUT for the Nuggets matchup with the Warriors.
— T.J. McBride (@TJMcBrideNBA) January 16, 2020
Gary Harris (right adductor strain) and Paul Millsap (left knee contusion/sprain) are also both OUT.
Morris is a good fantasy basketball waiver wire pickup in the short-term with Murray and Harris out. Michael Porter Jr. should also see additional minutes, and even PJ Dozier will get some playing time at backup guard.
UPDATE: Jan. 15, 10:36 p.m. — Murray will not return to Wednesday’s game vs. the Hornets.
UPDATE: Jamal Murray is OUT with a left ankle injury. Assistant coach Charles Klask did tell me that Jamal said he did not feel like it was as bad as he originally thought right when it happened.
— Katy Winge (@katywinge) January 16, 2020
Morris started the second half in place of Murray and will see increased minutes the rest of the game.
UPDATE: Jan. 15, 10:07 p.m. — Jamal Murray had to be carried to the locker room before halftime Wednesday against the Hornets. He wasn’t able to put any weight on his ankle.
Jamal Murray is not putting any pressure on his ankle. Getting carried off. Don't think this will be a "lace em up tighter" kind of ankle sprain.
— Adam Mares (@Adam_Mares) January 16, 2020
This appears to be just a bad ankle sprain, but it’s still concerning. With Murray likely out for the rest of the game, Monte Morris and Will Barton should make up the backcourt. I’d also expect more minutes for Malik Beasley if the Nuggets keep rolling over the Hornets in the second half.
UPDATE: Jan. 15, 8:05 p.m. — Murray is available to play and Harris has been ruled out vs. the Hornets.
Jamal is good to go.#MileHighBasketball pic.twitter.com/xbio5059f8
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) January 16, 2020
So with Harris out, Torrey Craig will start. He isn’t a bad value play, but I like Monte Morris a lot more on DraftKings. I’ve touted Will Barton in DK at $7,000 as well and I’m sticking to it. Murray being out would have been better for Barton’s value, but I still think he’ll see more shots and minutes.
Denver Nuggets guards Jamal Murray and Gary Harris are both questionable to play Wednesday vs. the Charlotte Hornets.
Gary Harris (right adductor strain) is questionable for tomorrow's game vs. Hornets.
— Mike Singer (@msinger) January 14, 2020
Jamal Murray (back soreness) is also questionable.
Paul Millsap (knee contusion/ strain) is still out.
With all the bumps and bruises, #Nuggets are recalling P.J. Dozier.
Paul Millsap will remain out of the lineup, so that’s three starters banged up for Denver. If Harris and Murray are both ruled out, that’ll be a ton of minutes to eat up in the backcourt. Will Barton would become an elite DFS play in that case. I’d imagine Monte Morris starts at PG and would be a solid value play.
Torrey Craig would be the other name that should jump into the starting lineup. Nikola Jokic would be in line for heavy usage and we could even see him handle the ball more often. The Nuggets depth will be tested if these injuries stand up. If Murray and Harris are OK, I’d say both are fine to roll out in all formats.