Denver Nuggets star point guard Jamal Murray being ruled out Monday night is about more than one missed game; it's a clear signal that they are still nowhere near full strength as injuries continue to dictate their rotation. Denver will be without all five starters against the Philadelphia 76ers, marking the first time this season the Nuggets have been forced to roll out an entirely reserve-based lineup.
Murray shutdown underscores Nuggets' cautious approach
Murray won't play in the second leg of a back-to-back as he nurses a left ankle sprain. While he was initially listed as probable Sunday, Denver opted for restraint after Murray logged 40 minutes in a 127-115 loss to Brooklyn.
Despite the injury, Murray delivered one of his best all-around performances of the season:
That followed a 34-point outing against Cleveland on January 2, when Murray was also questionable but still played and was the only original starter available. The decision to sit him now reflects a broader organizational priority: preserving long-term health rather than chasing short-term availability.
Head coach David Adelman is clearly managing minutes and workloads carefully as Denver navigates a brutal stretch of the schedule.
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First game without all five starters highlights depth concerns
Monday's matchup in Philadelphia represents a low point in terms of roster availability. Along with Murray, Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun, who returned in limited roles Sunday, will sit again.
The absences don't stop there:
Nikola Jokic remains sidelined with a hyperextended knee (out roughly four weeks)
Cameron Johnson is out 4-6 weeks with a right knee contusion
Jonas Valanciunas is sidelined at least four weeks with a right calf strain
Tim Hardaway Jr. will also miss the game
That leaves Denver without its entire starting five and several key rotation pieces as it continues a seven-game road trip.
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Murray's All-Star leap makes timing critical
The irony is that Murray is in the midst of a career season. He's averaging:
25.4 points
7.2 assists
4.6 rebounds
48 percent shooting from the field
44.7 percent from three on nearly eight attempts per game
Those numbers put him firmly on an All-Star trajectory, making Denver's decision to prioritize rest even more telling.
Murray is expected back Wednesday in Boston, but Monday's mass shutdown reinforces the reality: the Nuggets are still weeks away from anything resembling their preferred lineup.
Newsweek