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Reggie Jackson Reggie Jackson (calf) exits during fourth quarter
Mon, May 6, 2024, 7:13 PM
Reggie Jackson (left calf tightness) tallied three points (1-of-6 FGs), two rebounds, one assist, and one 3-pointer in 10 minutes in Monday's Game 2 loss to Minnesota.
Analysis: Already dealing with a sore left ankle, Jackson hobbled off the court during the fourth quarter with tightness in his left calf. While Denver announced that he was questionable to return, the veteran point guard remained in the locker room. The only production Denver received from its bench in Game 2 was from Justin Holiday, who shot 4-of-5 from three and finished with 13 points, two rebounds, and one assist. With Jackson and Murray dealing with calf issues, the Nuggets have two point guards not playing at full strength. Game 3 being on Friday could help matters, but the biggest problem has been the talented Timberwolves. |
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Jamal Murray Jamal Murray (calf) struggles in Game 2 blowout
Mon, May 6, 2024, 7:09 PM
Jamal Murray (left calf strain) shot 3-of-18 from the field and 2-of-2 from the foul line in Monday's 106-80 loss to the Timberwolves, finishing with eight points, 13 rebounds, two assists, two steals, and one blocked shot in 36 minutes.
Analysis: Murray had a rough night at the office, as Denver fell into an 0-2 hole. He struggled with his shot throughout and was also visibly frustrated with the officials. Things reached a head during the second quarter when an angry Murray threw a heat pack onto the court. No technical foul was called at the time, but the NBA is likely to hand down a punishment of some kind before Game 3 on Friday. The three days off come at a good time for Murray, who is in serious need of some time to rest his ailing calf. |
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Aaron Gordon Aaron Gordon leads Nuggets with 20 points Monday
Mon, May 6, 2024, 7:04 PM
Aaron Gordon played 33 minutes in Monday's Game 2 loss to the Timberwolves, accounting for 20 points (8-of-14 FGs, 1-of-2 FTs), four rebounds, two assists, one steal, and three 3-pointers.
Analysis: Gordon played better than any other Nugget in Game 2, and while that benefitted those who put him into their DFS lineups, that was not good news for Denver. Stars Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray combined to score 24 points, and Michael Porter Jr. (9/5/2/1/1 with one 3-pointer) shot 1-of-7 from three while committing four turnovers. Gordon was one block shy of a full stat line, and his production was one of the few bright spots on Monday. Given how limited Denver's bench is, they may need another effort like this in Game 3 on Friday. |
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Nikola Jokic Nikola Jokic records 16/16/8/0/1 line in Game 2
Mon, May 6, 2024, 6:48 PM
Nikola Jokic finished Monday's 106-80 loss to the Timberwolves with 16 points (5-of-13 FGs, 6-of-6 FTs), 16 rebounds, eight assists, and one blocked shot in 39 minutes.
Analysis: Jamal Murray (calf) isn't playing at full strength, and Minnesota was playing without Rudy Gobert on Monday. With the Nuggets having dropped Game 1, they needed an elite performance from Jokic. While he did finish two assists shy of a triple-double, they did not get that from the Joker. He committed four turnovers, but the shooting (5-of-13 FGs) was especially concerning. Minnesota had some success during Game 1 using Karl-Anthony Towns or Naz Reid on Jokic, with Gobert serving as the âfree safety.â The Timberwolves could not do that in Game 2, but they successfully defended Jokic straight up. He and the Nuggets have some things to address ahead of Friday's Game 3. |
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Jamal Murray Jamal Murray (calf) available for Game 2 Monday
Mon, May 6, 2024, 3:16 PM
Denver Nuggets on Twitter
Jamal Murray (left calf strain) is available for Monday's game against the Timberwolves.
Analysis: As expected, Murray is available for Game 2, with the Nuggets trailing 1-0. He still isn't 100%, but the Nuggets guard will continue to play through the injury. Reggie Jackson's role becomes more critical with Murray's injury, especially with Denver not getting much production from its bench in Game 1. |
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Jamal Murray Jamal Murray (calf) questionable for Game 2 Monday
Sun, May 5, 2024, 11:06 AM
NBA Injury Report
Jamal Murray (left calf strain) is questionable for Monday's game against the Timberwolves.
Analysis: While Murray has refused to make any excuses regarding the strained calf, it was clear during Saturday's series opener that he is not playing at full strength. Reggie Jackson would be next in line if the Nuggets are forced to play without their starting point guard, but look for Murray to play through the pain in a game the reigning champs can't afford to lose. |
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Jamal Murray Is this your king? Playoff Murray stinks it up
Sat, May 4, 2024, 4:25 PM
Jamal Murray provided 17 points on 6-of-14 shooting in Saturday's Game 1 loss, adding four assists, a rebound and two triples across 34 minutes.
Analysis: Murray balled out in the first round against the Lakers, averaging 23.6 points, 4.6 boards, 7.2 dimes, 1.0 blocks and 2.0 triples and nailing two game-winners in the process. Murray was held scoreless in the first half, and he was far from that level of effectiveness against Minnesota. He's delivered some monumental games in the playoffs over the last two seasons, so we'll chalk this one up to an off night. He's also dealing with a lingering calf issue, but it's unclear how much that injury contributed to Saturday's poor showing. |
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Nikola Jokic Nikola Jokic has off-night as Nugs drop Game 1
Sat, May 4, 2024, 4:10 PM
Nikola Jokic finished Saturday's loss to Minnesota with 32 points, eight rebounds, nine assists, three steals and two three-pointers across 41 minutes.
Analysis: Joker led his team in points, rebounds, assists and steals, but this game was far from blemish-free. The rest of his team combined for five turnovers, and Jokic committed seven, tied for his second-most in a playoff game. He was just 2-of-9 from beyond the arc and shot 11-of-25 from the field overall, highlighting an inefficient and turnover-riddled evening as Denver lost at home for the first time since March 29. The Nuggets have been stellar at Ball Arena, and Jokic typically doesn't make this many mistakes. He'll look to get back on track in Game 2 on Monday. |
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Jamal Murray Jamal Murray (calf) available for Game 1 Saturday
Sat, May 4, 2024, 12:23 PM
Denver Nuggets on Twitter
Jamal Murray (left calf strain) is officially available for Saturday's game against the Timberwolves.
Analysis: An hour after Nuggets coach Michael Malone said he expected Murray to play, the starting point guard was officially cleared. He will take on his usual role within the rotation, with Reggie Jackson remaining the backup. |
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Jamal Murray Jamal Murray (calf) expected to play in Game 1
Sat, May 4, 2024, 11:24 AM
Vinny Benedetto on Twitter
Nuggets coach Michael Malone said during his pregame availability that he expects Jamal Murray (left calf strain) to be available for Saturday's game against the Timberwolves.
Analysis: Murray's game-winner in Game 5 of Denver's first-round series against the Lakers advanced the champs into the second round while also giving him valuable time off. The Nuggets have not played since Monday, and while their starting point guard remains questionable for Saturday, the expectation is that he will play. Should that not be the case, Reggie Jackson would move into the starting lineup. |
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Jamal Murray Jamal Murray (calf) questionable for Game 1
Fri, May 3, 2024, 11:31 AM
NBA Injury Report
Jamal Murray (left calf strain) is listed as questionable for Game 1 against Minnesota on Saturday.
Analysis: The first game of the second round will start on Saturday, and Murray is still dealing with a strain in his calf. It didn't keep him out of any games in the first round, and it certainly didn't do much to slow down his production. However, if something changes and he is forced to miss Saturday's game, Reggie Jackson should slide into the starting point guard role. |
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Michael Porter Michael Porter Jr. turns in 26/4/1/2 line Monday
Mon, Apr 29, 2024, 6:41 PM
Michael Porter Jr. lit up the Lakers with 26 points (8-of-12 FGs), four rebounds, one assist, two steals and five triples on Monday.
Analysis: MPJ had a spectacular series, which included him scoring at least 20 points in the final four games after scoring 19 in Game 1. However, what shouldn't go unnoticed is that he logged 46 minutes in this game to help close out the series. He's just two years removed from only playing nine games, and he has now played 86 games this season with only one absence. Porter Jr. has been fantastic, and they'll need him to stay hot in their second round matchup with the Timberwolves if they hope to repeat as champions. |
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Nikola Jokic Nikola Jokic puts up 25/20/9 in closeout win
Mon, Apr 29, 2024, 6:36 PM
Nikola Jokic stuffed the stat sheet on Monday with 25 points (12-of-21 FGs), 20 rebounds, nine assists, one triple and seven turnovers in Game 5 against the Lakers.
Analysis: For the second time this series, Jokic fell one assist shy of recording a triple-double. This time, he was one assist away from his second 20/20/10 triple-double of the series. He was unreal throughout their five games against the Lakers, averaging 28.2 points, 16.2 rebounds, 9.8 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.2 triples while shooting 59.1% from the floor and 92.6% from the line. They'll move on to face the Timberwolves in the second round, which will be another tough matchup down low. However, that won't prevent Jokic from putting up big numbers. |
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Jamal Murray Jamal Murray hits game-winner to close out series
Mon, Apr 29, 2024, 6:31 PM
Jamal Murray led the Nuggets with 32 points (13-of-28 FGs), three rebounds, seven assists, one steal and five triples in a 108-106 win over the Lakers in Game 5 on Monday.
Analysis: For the second time this series, Murray came up big at the end to help Denver secure a win. He buried a pull-up jumper with about three seconds left, and the Lakers weren't able to get a good shot up on the ensuing possession. Murray is no stranger to late-game heroics, as he also hit a game-winner in Game 2. The Nuggets will take on Minnesota in the second round after they swept Phoenix, which will be a rematch of last season's first round series. The Timberwolves are one of the best defensive teams in the league, so Murray will likely have to make more big plays next series in their quest to repeat. |
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Kentavious Caldwell-Pope Caldwell-Pope (ankle) questionable to return
Mon, Apr 29, 2024, 4:33 PM
Denver Nuggets on X
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (left ankle sprain) is questionable to return to Game 5 against the Lakers on Monday.
Analysis: KCP turned his ankle on a fastbreak and may be forced to miss the remainder of Game 5. Christian Braun and Justin Holiday should see extended run in his absence. |
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Jamal Murray Jamal Murray, Reggie Jackson available for Game 5
Mon, Apr 29, 2024, 3:18 PM
Denver Nuggets on X
Jamal Murray (left calf strain) and Reggie Jackson (left ankle sprain) will play in Game 5 against the Lakers on Monday.
Analysis: Both of Denver's point guards will be available to play in this game, though there was legitimate concern that Murray would miss this one. They'll look to close out the series and advance to the next round, where Minnesota is waiting after they swept the Suns. |
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Reggie Jackson Reggie Jackson (ankle) probable for Game 5 Monday
Sun, Apr 28, 2024, 11:37 AM
NBA Injury Report
Reggie Jackson (left ankle sprain) is probable for Monday's game against the Lakers.
Analysis: While Jackson was available for Saturday's Game 4 defeat, he only played nine minutes off the bench. The probable tag suggests he will be cleared for Game 5, and the Nuggets may need even more from Jackson. Jamal Murray is questionable with a strained calf, and Jackson would be the next man up if Denver's starting point guard cannot play. |
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Jamal Murray Jamal Murray (calf) questionable for Game 5 Monday
Sun, Apr 28, 2024, 11:32 AM
NBA Injury Report
Jamal Murray (left calf strain) is questionable for Monday's game against the Lakers.
Analysis: While Murray's injury during Saturday's Game 4 defeat appeared to be a tweak, he has been officially diagnosed with a strained left calf. Denver's depth is already limited due to a lack of consistent production from the bench, so losing Murray would be a significant development. Reggie Jackson will move into the starting lineup if he cannot play. |
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Jamal Murray Jamal Murray finishes Game 4 loss with 22 points
Sat, Apr 27, 2024, 5:48 PM
Jamal Murray logged 39 minutes in Saturday's loss to the Lakers, producing 22 points (9-of-23 FGs, 4-of-5 FTs), six rebounds, five assists, and one blocked shot.
Analysis: While Murray has scored 20 points or more in all four games, the Lakers have done what they can to make him an inefficient scorer. He's shot below 40% from the field in all four games and racked up four turnovers in Games 3 and 4. Denver won the first three games of the series despite Murray's struggles, but the Lakers' inability to maintain leads was also a factor. Los Angeles was only a minus-2 in third-quarter points on Saturday, which, along with Murray's struggles, factored into the outcome. He'll look to turn things around in Game 5 on Monday night. |
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Michael Porter Michael Porter Jr. tallies 27 points, 11 rebounds
Sat, Apr 27, 2024, 5:34 PM
Michael Porter Jr. finished Saturday's Game 4 loss to the Lakers with 27 points (10-of-20 FGs, 3-of-5 FTs), 11 rebounds, one assist, one steal, and four 3-pointers in 40 minutes.
Analysis: Porter has been one of Denver's most consistent players in this series, accounting for at least 19 points and eight rebounds in all four games. Saturday's double-double was his second in as many games, but the 3-point shooting did slip while in Los Angeles. After shooting 9-of-17 in the series' first two games, Porter was 6-of-17 from beyond the arc in Games 3 and 4. Don't be surprised if he benefits from the return home for Game 5 on Monday night. Denver still holds a commanding 3-1 lead, and teams that opened a series 3-0 are 151-0 in NBA postseason history. |
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