Harrison Wind: Malone on Jamal Murray: “I have no doubt that he will come back a better player, a stronger player. That’s how he’s made. It’s in his DNA. I expect nothing less.”
NBA Rumor: Jamal Murray Injury
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Jamal Murray devastated after torn ACL
Mark Medina: Nuggets coach Michael Malone on Jamal Murray’s ACL injury: “It’s been an emotional 24 or 36 hours for Jamal. Jamal is devastated, understandably so. So is the team.”
Harrison Wind: Malone: “Not one guy on our team can replace Jamal. It’s going to take a collective effort. Right now we need everybody’s best moving forward.”
Mirjam Swanson: Ty Lue on Jamal Murray’s injury: “You hate to see that happen to any player. It makes you put a lot of thought into your team … to make sure your team is as healthy as possible going into the playoffs. It’s a fine line.”
Shams Charania: Nuggets star guard Jamal Murray has a torn ACL in his left knee, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Stephen Curry: 🙏🏽 come back stronger @BeMore27
But his absence also has implications for the Canadian National Team as it enters Olympic qualifying in Victoria, British Columbia June 29-July 4 . The winner of the event which also features China, the Czech Republic, Turkey, Uruguay and Greece (coached by Rick Pitino) will receive one of four remaining berths in the men’s Olympic basketball tournament this summer in Tokyo. Canada hasn’t made the Olympics since 2000, when current Brooklyn Nets coach Steve Nash was the team’s star.
Bobby Marks: 5 players out this season as a result of an ACL: Jonathan Isaac (injured in August) Spencer Dinwiddie Thomas Bryant Markelle Fultz Jamal Murray That is a high number in comparison to past years.
Jamal Murray suffers torn ACL
Shams Charania: Nuggets star guard Jamal Murray has a torn ACL in his left knee, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Devastating, season-ending injury for Jamal Murray, who emerged as a superstar in the NBA bubble last summer and has worked diligently in his career to be a lead guard who is respected by his teammates and coaches.
Nuggets guard Jamal Murray has been diagnosed with a torn anterior cruciate ligament of the left knee. He will be out indefinitely.
The Nuggets had no word on the severity of Murray’s injury after the game, but he was taken to the hospital where he was to undergo an MRI. Denver coach Michael Malone and teammates were noticeably upset, with Malone describing the mood in the locker room as “very down.”
“Some of the (assistant) coaches said when they watched the replay, it looked like he hyperextended it,” Malone said. “Just an awful feeling. Keep Jamal in your thoughts and prayers, and hopefully we’ll get some good news.”
Mark Medina: Nikola Jokic on Jamal Murray’s injury: “He just fell. As soon as he fell, I saw him in pain.” Jokic added, “hopefully it’s not something huge.”
“The mood was how you could imagine,” said Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr. “We’re just all kind of waiting to hear what’s going on. We’re all worried about him, praying for him and just hoping for the best.”
Former Nuggets coach George Karl knows all too well how a magical season can be unraveled by the cruel twist of fate. His 2012-13 Denver team was cruising in the second half of the season on the way to a franchise-record 57 games, at one point winning 15 games in a row. But in the 76th game of the season, Danilo Gallinari, the team’s second-leading scorer, suffered a torn ACL that ended his season. The Nuggets won five of their final six games to end the regular season, but they suffered a first-round upset at the hands of the upstart Warriors. “Gallo flashback moment from eight years ago tonight,” Karl tweeted shortly after Murray suffered the knee injury.
Jamal Murray hurts knee
Nick Friedell: Jamal Murray was in agony underneath the basket for a few moments — he appeared to be grabbing his left knee. Nuggets coaching staff instantly knew injury was bad and started calling for more attention. Murray just limped his way back to locker room.
Adrian Wojnarowski: As you’d expect, the Nuggets are working to get Murray an MRI on that left knee to evaluate the severity of the knee injury, source tells ESPN.
Ohm Youngmisuk: Michael Malone said the team is waiting on imaging testing on Jamal Murray’s left knee: “He just came back, he was gone for four days. His [right] knee had been bothering him…just an awful feeling. Keep Jamal in your thoughts and prayers and hopefully we will get some good news”
Harrison Wind: There was no minute restriction on Jamal Murray tonight, as advised by Denver’s training staff. “I don’t think the minutes played had something to do with it,” Malone said. “I just think it was a freak accident and I’ll be keeping Jamal and his family in my thoughts and prayers.”
Michael Singer: MPJ on Jamal Murray: “The mood was how you could imagine. We’re just all kind of waiting to hear what’s going on. We’re all worried about him, praying for him and just hoping for the best.”
Ohm Youngmisuk: Michael Porter Jr. heard Jamal Murray yelling in pain after the injury. On what Murray means: “Y’all know what he means to us, he’s ‘the dude’ – Nikola and Jamal. They brought this team to new heights… but we are more worried about his well-being right now.”
Ohm Youngmisuk: Monte Morris on Jamal Murray: “Everybody knows Jamal is a huge, huge piece to this team, alongside Nikola… Seeing him go down like that, never, never that you could even think that was going to happen. He lifts so much, his body is strong.”
Mark Medina: Neither Michael Porter Jr nor Monte Morris have been able to speak to Jamal Murray after the game given his injury. Porter Jr: “The mood is definitely not very joyful in the locker room. But we hope he’s all right.”
Mark Medina: Warriors coach Steve Kerr: “Everybody in our locker room is thinking about Jamal Murray.” Passed along condolences and positive vibes that Murray’s injury isn’t serious
Zach LaVine: Damn man!!! 🙏🏽🙏🏽 stay strong @Jamal Murray
Trae Young: 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽 Praying you good! @Jamal Murray
Donovan Mitchell: Praying for @Jamal Murray 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
Jamal Murray returning tonight after four-game absence
Michael Singer: Jamal Murray is available for tonight’s game vs. Golden State, I’m told. He’s missed the last four games with right knee soreness.
Harrison Wind: Jamal Murray is available for the Nuggets tonight.
Paul Garcia: Coach Malone says Jamal Murray is out tonight with right knee soreness. Paul Millsap is also out (rest).
Michael Singer: Asked Malone about Jamal Murray’s knee: “I’m not overly concerned.” Said it’s been nagging him for a while and last game it acted up. Malone also seemed to intimate he’d be out tonight as well to rest it with 22 games to go.
Michael Singer: Nuggets injury report tomorrow: Dozier and Harris are both out tomorrow. vs. Bucks. Murray and Campazzo are both questionable.
Kendra Andrews: The hope is also that Jamal Murray will be available tomorrow.
Nuggets coach Michael Malone said Monday he expects point guard Jamal Murray to be “ready to go” come Tuesday’s winner-take-all Game 7 against the Los Angeles Clippers in the Western Conference semifinals.
Murray was leveled early in the third quarter on a layup by Clipper wing Paul George and was on the ground writhing in pain for a few tense moments. Though Malone hadn’t seen him yet Monday morning when he talked with the media, he said he expected that with rest until tomorrow night’s late tipoff Murray should be able to recover.
“Talked to him last night when we got back to the hotel,” Malone said. “He’d gotten through all of his testing. He’s banged up, he’s sore. Took a big hit, obviously, on a non-call. But, I think we all know this about Jamal, especially us back in Denver. He’s a tough, tough kid, man. Mentally and physically.”
TJ McBride: Jamal Murray said he feels ok now, but that they are still trying to figure out what happened to Murray’s body after getting fallen on by Paul George. I don’t think Murray will miss Game 7, but that’s…concerning. Will be interesting to see what his injury status is tomorrow.
Kendra Andrews: Jamal Murray and Troy Daniels are official OUT tonight against Portland. So the Nuggets will be without Murray, Daniels, Barton, Harris and Millsap.
Jamie Hudson: Nuggets Injury Report vs. Blazers today: Troy Daniels (right hip; tightness) and Jamal Murray (left hamstring; tightness) are questionable. Will Barton (right knee; soreness), Gary Harris (right hip; muscle strain) and Paul Millsap (rest) are out.
Kendra Andrews: Jamal Murray is out today against the Thunder.
Duvalier Johnson: Jamal Murray on if he wants to play:”You know me, I want to play every day, I want to play every game.” He also said he understands that there’s is a bigger picture and they have to be smart about it. pic.twitter.com/jpODIgMDbP
Michael Singer: Malone on Murray, Barton or Harris’ availability: “Keep hope alive … Maybe one of those guys, but very very questionable.” Hell of an answer.
Jamie Hudson: Both Murray and Grant, who were listed as questionable, will start tonight vs. Blazers
After a week and further testing, Murray’s ankle injury is less concerning than it was the night of the injury, team sources told Mile High Sports. According to those sources, Murray has a low ankle sprain. There is no firm timetable for his return, but the Nuggets organization is not terribly worried about his ankle issue which is good news considering how much pain Murray was in after sustaining the injury and the fact that he put no weight on his left leg at all at the time.
Jamal Murray to miss several games
Nick Kosmider: Testing on Nuggets guard Jamal Murray’s sprained left ankle returned clean today and he is expected to miss multiple games, league sources tell @Shams Charania and me.
Murray came down awkwardly at the Pepsi Center after contesting a 3-pointer from Charlotte guard Terry Rozier, and Murray was reeling on the ground for several minutes. He was ruled out for return in the second half and replaced by reserve point guard Monte Morris in the starting lineup. The X-rays on Murray’s left ankle came back negative, coach Michael Malone said postgame, but a visual check of Murray’s injury prompted some concern.
“I have no idea how long he is going to be out,” Malone said. “He’s had an issue with ankle injuries. I just looked at it and it’s rather large. Kinda scary. He rolled it and those are scary. … Aside from being painful, you don’t want to have Jamal Murray miss an extended period of time. Hopefully, it’s not as bad as it looks and we can get him back.”
Josh Lewenberg: Jamal Murray (ankle) doing some light shooting work as Team Canada scrimmages on Day 2 of training camp in Toronto. pic.twitter.com/Dz5nvO1IG0
Katy Winge: Jamal Murray is definitely banged up for this #Nuggets team. Had his right thigh wrapped during shootaround and then immediately iced it during media availability. Playing through pain is something Murray has been trained to do, and he will again tonight.
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray reaggravated a right thigh injury that kept him out of the final 53 seconds of Game 2 and will undergo treatment over the next 48 hours. Murray missed six of his eight 3-point attempts and finished with 15 points and seven assists, then had to watch the final seconds of Portland’s 97-90 victory at Denver in Game 2.
Katy Winge: Jamal Murray update: he’s (obviously) playing tonight for #nuggets. Malone said he’s been getting treatment around the clock on that leg, he’s still sore, but it has improved. Malone also said the NBA confirmed after the game that Poeltl’s screen was illegal.
Harrison Wind: Nuggets will only have two of their regular starters (Barton, Jokic) for tonight’s game vs Pistons. Gary Harris, Jamal Murray, Paul Millsap are all out. I’d expect Monte Morris and Malik Beasley to continue to start while minutes are available for reserve guard Brandon Goodwin.
Katy Winge: Coach Malone does not think Jamal Murray will be able to go tonight for the #nuggets. He’s still having some problems planting and cutting with that ankle injury.
Harrison Wind: Gary Harris and Jamal Murray are both out for the Nuggets’ matchup tonight in Minnesota. Denver is hopeful that Murray can return during its four-game road trip which begins this evening.
Nick Kosmider: Jamal Murray will miss his third straight game with a left ankle sprain when the Nuggets play the Pelicans here in New Orleans tomorrow night.
Chris Dempsey: Jamal Murray (ankle) has been ruled out of tomorrow’s #Nuggets game at Memphis.
Harrison Wind: Jamal Murray (ankle) will not play tonight vs 76ers. It will be just the second missed game of his career.
Harrison Wind: Jamal Murray (ankle) is a game time decision.
Harrison Wind: Jamal Murray (left ankle sprain) is questionable for tonight’s matchup with the 76ers. Isaiah Thomas and Michael Porter Jr. are out.
The comeback would’ve marred a truly special night from Jamal Murray, who scored 46 points and drained a career-high nine 3-pointers one night after badly rolling his ankle against San Antonio. “Oh my god, it hurts,” Murray said. “I ain’t gonna lie to you guys. It hurts a lot. I was trying not to move as much, kind of rely on my shot. I kept relying on it. As the game went on, more adrenaline started to kick in.”
Chris Dempsey: Malik Beasley (ankle) is also a game time decision for tonight’s game. Jamal Murray (ankle) is probable to play. #Nuggets
Harrison Wind: Michael Malone said Jamal Murray isn’t “limited” by the shin contusion he’s been playing through but Denver will monitor how he looks tonight and if he shows any signs of discomfort. “We’re going to have a big picture mindset, make sure we’re not in a position to make it worse.”
Harrison Wind: Jamal Murray (shin contusion) is listed as probable for Nuggets/Thunder Friday night. Barton, Harris, Millsap, Porter, Vanderbilt, and Thomas all remain out.
Michael Singer: Jamal Murray’s available for tonight with right shin contusion. He looked good in warmups.
April 16, 2021 | 5:36 am EDT Update
Nikola Jokic clear favorite to win MVP now
While Jokic is miles ahead of the field, his point total is right in line with where the winners landed each of the past few seasons. What is different, however, is that there is no clear second-place finisher. Since the league shifted to the current voting format in 2017, second place has earned at least 738 points. Embiid, who received five of the remaining 11 first-place votes, was second with 401 points — not much more than half of that typical amount. Antetokounmpo (no first-place votes, 375 points), the two-time reigning MVP, was a close third, with Damian Lillard (two first-place votes, 67 total votes, 283 points) in fourth and Harden (one first-place vote, 62 total votes, 231 points) in fifth.
James, meanwhile, went from getting more than half of the first-place votes in the last straw poll to getting none this time. He was left off nearly two-thirds of the ballots entirely, garnering just 37 total votes and 105 points. He was just ahead of Chris Paul, who had two first-place votes and 98 total points, with Kawhi Leonard (80 points, including one first-place vote) in eighth, Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (28 points) in ninth and Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (26 points) in 10th.
Duane Rankin: Kings coach Luke Walton said there “is room” to put Chris Paul in the MVP conversation. Paul on his way to his 17th double-double this season. Has nine points and eight assists as #Suns have 84-77 lead with 6:51 left in the 3rd quarter.
Enter Deck, who not coincidentally signed for $3.9 million. Is he an NBA player? Probably not. He had failed to make an impression as a younger player, going scoreless in the 2013 Hoop Summit and going undrafted in 2017. Now 26 years old and playing in Spain as a 6-foot-6 power forward with limited athleticism, nobody I talked to is that excited about him as an NBA prospect. His best-case scenario would be to get by enough on smarts and craftiness to carve out a back-end rotation spot. Deck’s main utility was that he was available via an in-season buyout, a rarity with European contracts.
In 2014, he said he wanted to stay in Portland and cement his legacy as the greatest Blazer of all time… then he chose to leave for San Antonio less than a year later in free agency. And while in San Antonio, he said he would like to one day reunite with Damian Lillard and end his career in Portland … then when presented with just that chance after a San Antonio buyout this spring, he instead chose Brooklyn. In between his mixed messages, there were some incredible moments. Some incredible production. And some real growth as a person. But there was also a lot of bitterness, pettiness and moodiness that led to much of the hurt.
Behind the scenes, though, it was a struggle. He battled insecurity, never feeling he was valued as much as Brandon Roy or even Greg Oden. He brooded during his early years with Roy, much of it stemming from him not being asked to a dinner in Memphis, which turned out to be more of a miscommunication than a slight.
And he struggled with bitterness and pettiness as he felt threatened by Lillard’s emergence in 2012, and the adoration of the city that was quickly heaped upon the young guard. He would turn down NBA public service announcements, then complain when Lillard did them, pointing it out as proof the organization favored Lillard.
