The Denver Nuggets are gearing up for an afternoon showdown against the Golden State Warriors, fresh off a jaw-dropping 157-point performance against the Portland Trail Blazers. While the Nuggets face some lineup challenges, they're up against a Warriors squad missing key players.
Jamal Murray, initially listed as questionable due to a hamstring issue, has been cleared to play, which is great news for Denver. However, they'll still be without Aaron Gordon and Peyton Watson. On the flip side, the Warriors are dealing with their own setbacks, with Stephen Curry, Jimmy Butler, and Kristaps Porzingis all sidelined.
Murray's status was a game-time decision, adding a layer of intrigue. Having just played both ends of a back-to-back, his resilience is notable.
This season, Murray is putting up impressive numbers: 25.7 points, 7.6 assists, and 4.5 rebounds, with a stellar 61.5 true shooting percentage. His role becomes even more crucial when Nikola Jokic is out, as he steps up his game to 27.8 points and 8.3 assists over 12 contests.
The Nuggets come into this matchup with a solid 36-21 record, holding the No. 3 seed and boasting a strong 21-10 road record. Meanwhile, the Warriors, sitting at 29-27, have struggled in Curry's absence.
Injury Report:
- Denver Nuggets: Jamal Murray: Available (hamstring) Aaron Gordon: Out (hamstring) Peyton Watson: Out (hamstring) Jalen Pickett: Out (knee soreness) Tamar Bates: Out (foot surgery)
- Golden State Warriors: Stephen Curry: Out (right knee bone bruise / patella-femoral pain syndrome) Jimmy Butler III: Out (ACL tear - season-ending) Seth Curry: Out (injury management) Nate Williams: Out (injury) Malevy Leons: Out (injury) LJ Cryer: Out (injury) Kristaps Porzingis: Out (illness)
With both teams navigating through injuries, this game promises to be an intriguing battle of depth and resilience. Keep an eye on Murray's performance, as his contributions could be pivotal for the Nuggets in this critical road matchup.