Almost one year after going down with a torn ACL, Denver Nuggets star Jamal Murray appears to be one step closer to a return, although how much closer is still up in the air.
Speaking on Bally Sports TV Tuesday, The Athletic's Shams Charania reported the Nuggets had assigned the Kitchener, Ont., native to the NBA G League "just for practice reps."
"In the next steps of his return process, I'm told the Nuggets have assigned Jamal Murray to the NBA G League today, and again this is just for practice reps and allowing him to have an opportunity to get even more time, whether it's scrimmaging or whether it's more court work because the team might be on the road or might be away," said Charania.
"This is just another step for Jamal Murray as he attempts to make a return, whether it's this season or next season,"
On the heels of an electric playoff campaign with Nuggets in 2020, Murray was putting together a career-best season in 2020-21 before tearing his ACL and undergoing surgery in April 2021.
Without him, and fellow key player Michael Porter Jr., the Nuggets are sixth in the Western Conference with a 41-28 record — largely thanks to the MVP-level play of Nikola Jokic.
One or both players returning to the Nuggets lineup would instantly bolster Denver's title-contention hopes.
Mike Singer of the Denver Post reported on Friday that Murray has a 50-50 chance of returning this season. Porter is expected to return this month.
COMMENTS
When submitting content, please abide by our submission guidelines, and avoid posting profanity, personal attacks or harassment. Should you violate our submissions guidelines, we reserve the right to remove your comments and block your account. Sportsnet reserves the right to close a story’s comment section at any time.