The defending champions Denver Nuggets finally lost a game to the Los Angeles Lakers after winning 11 in a row in the head-to-head matchup, setting up a Game 5 in the Mile High City with the Nuggets up 3-1 in the series hoping to close things out. No team has ever lost a series when going up 3-0 so the Nuggets aren’t in any real danger yet but they don’t want to let LeBron James and LA linger. Star point guard Jamal Murray, who has struggled in the series so far, popped up on the injury report with a calf issue. Here are the latest updates on his status.
Jamal Murray injury updates
Update: As expected, Murray is available Monday in Game 5 as the Nuggets look to close out the Lakers on their home floor. Reggie Jackson is also good to go, so Denver has both primary point guards in the mix for this contest.
Murray is officially being listed as questionable, although I believe this is a throwaway designation for the guard. He appeared to suffer the injury late in Game 4 but played through it. Murray has logged 39+ minutes in each game, hitting a game-winning shot in Game 2 to complete a comeback for Denver. He’s unlikely to miss this chance to close out LA at home. He’s shooting just 38% from the floor in the series so far but there’s a reason Denver is so much better with him than without. Even dealing with an injury, he’s not someone you want to see catch fire.
If Murray is out or limited, the Nuggets will likely turn to Reggie Jackson as the primary point guard. Jackson is also on the injury report but played in the last game. Denver often has Nikola Jokic initiate the offense and bring the ball up the floor, so the Nuggets don’t suffer from a point guard injury as much as other teams. However, Murray’s shooting should eventually turn around and that’s why he needs to be in the lineup for this team to consider itself a contender.