Nuggets reveal latest injury updates before Friday night's game against the Atlanta Hawks, and the team is hopeful about getting key players back on the floor.
The Denver Nuggets (25-12) are looking significantly healthier as they prepare to host the Atlanta Hawks (18-21) on Friday night at Ball Arena, and after their insane overtime victory against the Philadelphia 76ers without their entire starting lineup earlier this week, the team is hoping to welcome back several key contributors to the floor.
The Good News
The biggest positive development is that star point guard Jamal Murray is listed as probable for Friday's game despite dealing with a left ankle sprain, and after playing 37 minutes and dishing out a career-high 17 assists in Wednesday's win over Boston, he appears ready to go once again.
Murray has been exceptional over Denver's last five games without Nikola Jokić, averaging 24.8 points and 11.4 assists while keeping the Nuggets competitive.
Forward Aaron Gordon, who recently returned from a hamstring injury, is expected to suit up after playing 23 minutes off the bench in Wednesday's victory and scoring 12 points while pulling down six rebounds, and Christian Braun has also worked his way back into game shape after missing time with a left ankle sprain.
Still Sidelined
The Nuggets will remain without their superstar center Nikola Jokić, who continues to recover from a left knee bone bruise and is expected to miss at least four weeks from the initial injury date.
Jokić had been averaging 30.4 points, 13.2 rebounds, and 9.8 assists before going down, forcing Denver's supporting cast to step up in ways they haven't had to all season.
Cameron Johnson remains out with a knee injury, while veteran center Jonas Valančiūnas is sidelined with a calf strain.
Tamar Bates is out recovering from left foot surgery, and Spencer Jones is listed as day-to-day after leaving Wednesday's game against Boston with left foot soreness.
Changes From Last Game
The biggest change from Wednesday's injury report is that Murray, Gordon, Braun, and Tim Hardaway Jr. all returned to action after missing Monday's game in Philadelphia, and while Spencer Jones' foot injury is a new concern after he exited Wednesday's contest, the team is hopeful it's nothing serious.
The Nuggets went from having seven players unavailable or questionable against the Celtics to potentially having only four definitively out for Friday's game.
Current State of the Nuggets
Denver has shown remarkable resilience during this injury-plagued stretch, posting a 5-5 record over their last ten games and maintaining their position as the third seed in the Western Conference standings.
The depth players have risen to the occasion when called upon, with Jalen Pickett exploding for 29 points in the win over Philadelphia and Peyton Watson contributing 24 points in that same game, and the team's ability to cobble together victories without their stars speaks volumes about the culture David Adelman has built.
The Hawks come into Friday's contest having gone 3-7 over their last ten games, and they'll be without several key pieces themselves, including the newly acquired CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert.
Friday's tip-off is scheduled for 9:00 p.m. EST at Ball Arena in Denver.