Inside The Nuggets

Jamal Murray's Injury Status for Nuggets-Suns NBA Christmas Game

The Denver Nuggets have released their injury report against the Phoenix Suns.
Nov 25, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) reacts in the second half against the New York Knicks at Ball Arena.
Nov 25, 2024; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) reacts in the second half against the New York Knicks at Ball Arena. | Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

After facing off on Monday, the Denver Nuggets and Phoenix Suns are playing the final game of NBA Christmas at 7:30 PM PT at Footprint Center. These are two teams with championship aspirations who have unperformed a bit this season, but Denver has won two-straight games to move to 16-11.

Phoenix remains led by the star trio of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal. As for the Nuggets, the star duo of Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray leads things alongside a high-level supporting cast. Missing Monday’s game against Phoenix, Murray is again on the injury report for the Christmas rematch.

Jamal Murray
Dec 16, 2024; Sacramento, California, USA; Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) shoots the ball during the second quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. | Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images

Murray’s official status is questionable with a right ankle sprain. If Murray cannot go, Russell Westbrook will get his eighth start of the season.

The Nuggets have gone 6-1 in Westbrook’s seven starts this season, with the 17-year NBA veteran averaging 14.3 points, 8.4 assists and 5.7 rebounds in those games.

Murray has dealt with injuries over the last several seasons, which is part of why Denver made the move to acquire Westbrook after he was made available this past offseason.

"And I love Russ' impact on the game and I love how well he and Nikola (Jokic) are playing with each other and off of other each other," Nuggets head coach Michael Malone said earlier this month. "So, yeah, that was definitely part of the allure of signing a guy like Russell Westbrook. When Jamal is out and you need a starting point guard where you have a guy that's done it at the highest level for 17 years."

Murray will likely receive a final status shortly before tip-off at 7:30 PM PT in Phoenix.

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Joey Linn
JOEY LINN

Joey Linn is a credentialed writer covering the NBA and WNBA for On SI. Covering the LA Clippers independently in 2018, then for Fansided and 213Hoops from 2019-2021, Joey joined On SI to cover the Clippers after the 2020-21 season. Graduating from Biola University in 2022 with a Communication Studies degree, Joey served as Biola's play-by-play announcer for their basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams. Joey's work on Biola's broadcasts and in the classroom earned him the Outstanding Communication Studies Student of the year award in 2022. Joey covers the NBA full-time, primarily serving as a Clippers beat writer.