It was a rough Monday night for two Western Conference contenders, as both the Nuggets and Suns saw key pieces go down with injuries in separate games - and the timing couldn’t be worse.
Jamal Murray Exits with Ankle Injury as Nuggets Fall to Dallas
For the Nuggets, the bigger concern coming out of their loss to Dallas wasn’t the final score - it was Jamal Murray walking off the court with a right ankle sprain. The injury came during a game where Denver entered the fourth quarter clinging to a two-point lead, only to be outscored by 12 in the final frame.
Murray didn’t return after the third, and his absence was felt immediately. Without their second-leading scorer and primary shot creator behind Nikola Jokić, the Nuggets' offense stalled when it mattered most.
Murray has been building a strong case for his first All-Star nod this season, and his playmaking has been a stabilizing force for a Denver team that’s already dealing with a growing list of injuries. Whether the ankle sprain sidelines him for additional time remains to be seen, but if it does, expect Bruce Brown and Tim Hardaway Jr. to see expanded roles in the rotation.
Denver’s depth is already being tested. Aaron Gordon and Christian Braun are out for multiple weeks with their own injuries, and third-year wing Julian Strawther continues to miss time with a lingering back issue.
That’s a lot of minutes and a lot of two-way production missing from the lineup. If Murray joins that group on the injury report, the Nuggets will need to dig even deeper into their bench - and hope Jokić can carry an even bigger load.
Devin Booker Leaves with Groin Soreness in Suns’ Loss to Lakers
Out in Los Angeles, the Suns were hit with a scare of their own. Devin Booker was ruled out at halftime of their road matchup with the Lakers due to right groin soreness. It’s unclear when exactly the injury occurred, but the team didn’t take any chances, shutting down their star guard for the second half.
Booker had been one of the few constants for Phoenix this season, suiting up in every game so far in 2025-26 after appearing in 75 contests last year. Through 21 games, he’s been the engine of the Suns’ offense, averaging a team-best 25.7 points and 6.9 assists per game, while also contributing on the glass and defensively. Losing him - even for a short stretch - creates a major void in both scoring and playmaking.
With Booker sidelined, the Suns turned to a committee approach. Collin Gillespie, Jordan Goodwin, and Jamaree Bouyea were among those tasked with stepping into larger roles. It’s a tall order to replace a four-time All-Star, especially one who’s also the franchise’s all-time leading scorer, but Phoenix didn’t have much choice.
The Suns are already navigating a thin roster. Jalen Green remains out with a nagging hamstring strain that’s been tough to shake, while Grayson Allen was unavailable Monday due to illness. On a more positive note, second-year forward Ryan Dunn returned after missing five games with a sprained right wrist - a welcome boost for a team that’s been short on healthy bodies.
Looking Ahead
Both Denver and Phoenix are in the thick of the Western Conference race, and these injuries could have ripple effects if they linger. For the Nuggets, Murray’s health is critical not just for wins in December, but for maintaining rhythm and chemistry heading into the heart of the season. For the Suns, Booker’s groin issue will be closely monitored - groin injuries can be tricky, and Phoenix will want to avoid a situation where a short-term problem becomes a long-term setback.
It’s only early December, but for two teams with championship aspirations, every game - and every injury - matters.