The Nuggets have survived almost an entire regular season without Jamal Murray, but they’re still holding onto hope that he might return sometime during the playoffs, writes Mike Singer of The Denver Post.
Murray participated in a workout with his teammates prior to Wednesday’s game at Indiana, moving freely and getting up his normal shots. Coach Michael Malone told Singer that the team is keeping “all options on the table” regarding Murray as it prepares for the postseason.
Malone admits it’s a “weird time” to try to work Murray back into the lineup with the season winding down, adding that he has put “zero pressure” on his star guard about his return since his ACL surgery last April. However, if he decides he wants to play, the Nuggets will accommodate that request.
“But if Jamal Murray says to me, ‘Hey coach, I’m ready, man, I’d like to play,’ and he’s been cleared, then we’d figure it out,” Malone said. “I think, like anybody coming back, there are good days, there are great days, and there are some tough days. I think that’s kind of what he’s been dealing with probably the last month as he’s ramped up a little bit. And certain days I’m sure he feels great, and the next day he might feel like, ‘Man, I don’t know if I can do this.’ The biggest part for him, right now, is the confidence to go out there and be able to play without thinking about everything he’s doing. That’s the hardest thing when you’ve been away from the game for almost a year like he has been.”
After watching Murray on Wednesday, Singer concluded it was one of his “good days.” He was able to curl and drive to the basket without any evidence of discomfort and occasionally gave a nod to trainers or team officials to show he was feeling good.
Murray also took part in strength training and stretching before the game, then came to the court with two wraps on each knee. He removed those as he moved into drills against the player development staff that included “hard cuts and strenuous pivots” and he didn’t shy away from contact, according to Singer.
Murray’s return could be a difference-maker for a Denver team that has tried all season to find suitable replacements in the backcourt. There have been conflicting reports about his chances to come back in time for the playoffs, and Malone said the team is keeping its options open.
“I don’t think it makes any sense to (say) … ‘We’re shutting him down,’” he said. “Who knows where the season’s going to go? A lot of crazy things can happen with (five) games to go, as well as into the postseason. Now with the play-in, the regular season ends and there’s a week for the play-in, then the playoffs start. It used to be, the season ended and playoffs started right away.
“I don’t think we need to paint ourselves into a corner and make any definitive decisions right now because this is not a mile race where it’s four laps and it’s over. We have no idea where the finish line is. Until we have a better idea of that, let’s leave all options on the table and see what happens on a day-to-day basis.”
I think that that Murray should just take the rest of the year off, Even if he is able to returrn what are the chances that he is able to ramp up in time to even be an upgrade over Bones Hyland or Monte Morris for the rest of this year. The way those two are playing, if Murray isnt 100% i am not sure he would even be an upgrade at this point.
Next year it will be interesting to see what they do with their log jam guards. Murray, Monte and Bones are all too good to be splitting minutes at PG. As much as I love Morris I think they could afford to move him for an upgrade at the wing positon. They need SG with some perimeter defence. Maybe they could use their MLE to Gary Harris back if he isnt too expensive.
The chances of Jamal Murray being an upgrade over any other guards they have (or have had since Fat Lever) are 100%. You see how Paul George just put up 34 in his 1st gm back? These guys don’t forget how to play while they’re out. Also Bones & especially Monte will still play major roles even if/when Murray returns. Trading Monte next season would be a large mistake imo. Bones is more of a spark plug, scoring guard off the bench while Monte is more of a classic pg that prioritizes running offense & setting up teammates. They are both keepers imo. Bringing back Gary “Gary Harris” Harris is a great idea tho. An even better idea would be trying to sign 1 or both of the Martin twins with that MLE this summer
While I agree that a Murray at even 80% would be a huge boost to the team, I also am not as certain that he will be able to reach that level by the end of the year or even the end of the playoffs. While Paul George was able to come back and provide a boost to the Clippers after being out for so long, I think it important to note that their injuries are completely different in terms of being able to come back. Paul George had an Elbow injury, which while still a serious and rehab intensive injury, doesn’t have nearly the same type of impact on his near-term athleticism and ability to move, create separation and defend.
I believe a more valid comparison would be to look at the recoveries of Klay Thompson or Spencer Dinwiddie as these players also suffered serious knee injuries similar to Murray’s. Both of these players took several months of the early season to readjust to the speed and intensity of the NBA game before being expected to produce at their pre-injury levels of play (Id argue Klay still hasn’t got there yet). Zach Lavine last year is also a good example of this. Unfortunately with only a few games remaining there is simply not enough time for Murray to get back up to speed.
Maybe I am wrong but with how long it has taken so far does not inspire a ton of confidence that he will be able to provide enough impact to justify throwing him out there in the playoffs where the level of intensity on the court is heightened. Maybe if he is able to play limited minutes off of the bench in place of maybe Forbes and provide some shooting off of the bench, but I am not sure that would really be worth the risk of reinjury when It probably wouldn’t impact their chances of winning a title this year. They should just see how far Jokic can take them this year and try to come back healthy next year with Murray and Porter ready to take the league by storm.
I feel you but I def think you’re underestimating Jamal Murray. The only worry is his conditioning really. I’m glad you called out Zach bc he’s an even better comparison to what Murray is going thru than Klay or Dinwiddie. A couple yrs ago after his return from a torn ACL, Zach came back & started 20+ gms for Chi before they shut him down so they could continue tanking. & even tho he wasn’t 100% & was on a mins restriction the first cpl weeks he still was the best guard on the team every second he was on the court. Same will be true with Murray. He’s not gonna be 100% of what he was or what he will be but he’s definitely gonna help them a lot & greatly impact their chances of winning a title this yr.
I’d love to see him suit up for Canada in SE Asia @ the FIBA World Cup next yr even more than I wanna see him return for these playoffs. We still haven’t seen a full squad of Canada’s best guys & if/when we do they should be something special. Still got aways to go before we get there but I’m already picking Canada (a country that hasn’t even medaled in any senior men’s int’l basketball comps) to win gold next yr. But they’re gonna need guys like Murray, DBrooks, Mathurin, Wiggins, etc to show up (& play as a team as opposed to a collection of individuals)… but yea if Murray & MPJ return to the Nuggets lineup then Denver is gonna win the west
Forgot to mention RJ Barrett but he’s clearly an important part of that program too
You are more interested in FIBA than the NBA playoffs? Ok…to each their own I guess.
I personally would love to see Murray come back and make Denver a real threat/disruptor. Remember how excited we were for them a year ago?
Even if Murray came back and took Forbes’ minutes that would be acceptable. Just put him in as a reserve for the second unit until he shows what he’s ready for.
Forbes has shown his shot, but the Nuggets run nothing for him and he is a black hole defensively.
This team was on a championship trajectory when Murray got injured. I hope he returns as good or better than before. A second all star level scoring threat next to Jokic will elevate the whole team. Everyone getting easy shots. Beautiful creative basketball.