David Chao, MD
2 min read • March 01, 2024
Posted in
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray suffered a right ankle inversion sprain during the second quarter that will keep him out several games and render him ineligible for awards under the NBA’s new 65-game rule.
Although the injury mechanism did not appear severe, the team will likely be cautious with his recovery given their standing in the Western Conference playoff race.
Murray suffered the injury when he stepped on the foot of teammate Aaron Gordon after driving in the lane and making a pass with just over three-and-a-half minutes remaining in the second quarter.
He limped to the locker room and did not return for the second half.
Nuggets head coach Michael Malone provided more details on the injury after the game.
“I talked to him right at the half, and he thought he was gonna be able to try to maybe give it a go — see how it warmed up,” Malone told reporters. “And it just wasn’t responding the way he had hoped, so I think it was a smart decision not to have him out there. Just trying to be as careful as possible at this point of the season.”
With Denver sitting 2.5 games ahead of the fourth-place Clippers, the team can afford to have some caution at this stage in the season.
The Nuggets have 22 games remaining this season and four of the next five come at home.
Expect the 27-year-old Canadian guard to miss the upcoming Saturday matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers and likely Tuesday’s home matchup against the Phoenix Suns. Thursday against Boston is likely his first realistic chance to return to the court.
The NBA’s new 65-game rule for award eligibility considers players to have reached 65 games if they play at least 20 minutes in 63 contests and at least 15 minutes in two additional games. Murray guard has missed 16 games and logged just 14 minutes on Thursday. That means he has played fewer than 15 minutes in two additional outings and will now be ineligible to make an All-NBA team.
Murray is averaging 20.5 points, 3.8 rebounds and 6.3 assists on 47.9% shooting from the field, 42.3% from 3-point range and 85.7% from the free throw line.
Murray suffered a sprained left ankle on Jan. 25, 2019 that kept him out until Feb. 6, 2019.
He missed 10 games from Jan. 16, 2020 to Feb. 4, 2020 with another left ankle sprain.
After missing four games with right knee soreness, Murray suffered a torn ACL in his left knee on April 12, 2021.
He missed the entire 2021-22 season, returning to action on Oct. 19, 2022.
Murray missed six straight games with left knee soreness from Feb. 5 to Feb. 15, 2023, but returned to finish the regular season and playoffs. He captured his first NBA Championship in 2023 with a five-game victory over the Miami Heat.
Written by David Chao, MD
Jamal Murray went to the looker room 😳
