Nuggets' Murray, Morris II ruled out for season
Pair to undergo surgery; Gordon out indefinitely
Denver needs 3-0 road trip to avoid play-in tournament
Denver Nuggets guards Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. will miss the rest of the season after being ruled out for the remainder of the 2021-22 season due to injuries, the team announced Friday. Murray will undergo surgery to repair a torn ACL in his left knee, while Porter Jr. will have surgery to address the lingering back issue that has kept him sidelined all season.
In Murray's absence, the Nuggets have struggled to find consistency on the offensive end, and his loss is a major blow to their playoff hopes. The team is currently ninth in the Western Conference standings with a 48-33 record, and they need to win their final three games of the regular season to avoid the play-in tournament.
Porter Jr.'s absence has also been a major setback for the Nuggets, as he was expected to be a key contributor this season after signing a five-year, $172 million contract in the offseason. His injury has left the Nuggets thin at the forward position, and they have had to rely on Will Barton and Aaron Gordon to fill the void.
Gordon is also currently out indefinitely with a groin injury, which leaves the Nuggets even more shorthanded. The team is hopeful that Gordon can return for the playoffs, but his status is uncertain at this point.
The Nuggets' playoff hopes now rest on the shoulders of Nikola Jokic, who has been one of the best players in the NBA this season. Jokic is averaging 27.1 points, 13.8 rebounds, and 7.9 assists per game, and he will need to continue to play at a high level for the Nuggets to make a deep playoff run.
The Nuggets' final three games of the regular season are against the Memphis Grizzlies, Phoenix Suns, and Golden State Warriors. The Grizzlies and Suns are both in contention for the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, while the Warriors are fighting for a playoff spot. The Nuggets will need to play their best basketball of the season to win these games and avoid the play-in tournament.
The Nuggets are currently a +1200 long shot to win the NBA championship, according to DraftKings Sportsbook.
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