Patryk Stachowiak
The Denver Nuggets suffered more than just a 131–121 loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Monday night – they may have lost their most dynamic offensive weapon.
Point guard Jamal Murray sprained his right ankle early in the third quarter, briefly returned to finish the period, but did not appear on the bench for the final 12 minutes of the game.
For a team already battling injuries, this is a significant blow.
How the Injury Happened
Murray came down awkwardly on a drive early in the third quarter, immediately grimaced, and made his way to the locker room while limping noticeably.
Despite returning to close out the quarter – showcasing yet again his trademark toughness – the pain was clearly too much to push through.
Interim head coach David Adelman confirmed that Murray will undergo further evaluation on Tuesday, adding:
“It’s a huge absence, obviously, offensively. Jamal’s such a tough player. If he sits himself because of the pain, it probably hurts.”
Murray entered the game averaging a career-best 24 points per outing, but managed just 10 points and nine assists before exiting for good.
Nuggets’ Offense Flat Without Murray
Denver’s late-game execution took a clear hit. Spencer Jones, who stepped up with a career-high 28 points, acknowledged how disruptive Murray’s absence became:
“Everybody knows the deadly pick-and-roll of Mal and Jokic. We definitely struggled.”
With Murray out, the Nuggets lost an essential part of their offensive identity – the two-man game between Murray and Nikola Jokić that often dictates tempo and spacing, especially in tight moments.
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Injury History Raises Additional Concerns
Murray’s durability will inevitably become a talking point again. After tearing his left ACL during the 2020–21 campaign, he spent an extended period rebuilding form before erupting in the 2023 postseason, where he averaged 26.1 points and 7.1 assists en route to Denver’s first NBA championship.
The Nuggets know better than anyone how dramatically their ceiling shifts without him.
Denver’s Injury List Keeps Growing
If Murray misses time, he’ll join fellow starters Aaron Gordon (right hamstring) and Christian Braun (left ankle sprain) on the sidelines – a trio of absences that puts enormous pressure on Denver’s depth.
Gordon has been out since Nov. 21 and isn’t expected back until late December or early January. Braun, injured on Nov. 12, is still in the middle of a recovery window that projected at least six weeks.
Both players are among Denver’s top defenders, and their absence has been felt on that end of the floor. Adelman made it clear, however, that excuses aren’t on the table:
“We have enough here to be more consistent defensively.”
What’s Next?
All eyes now shift to Murray’s Tuesday evaluation. For bettors and fans alike, Murray’s status could heavily influence Denver’s offensive output, rotations, pace, and spreads in upcoming games.
If he misses multiple contests, expect the Nuggets’ lines to shift – especially in matchups requiring heavy shot creation late in games.
One thing is certain: Denver cannot afford another extended stretch without their star guard. The Nuggets’ ambitions rest heavily on Murray’s availability, and the coming days will determine just how serious this setback becomes.