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DENVER, CO - JUNE 11: Head Coach Michael Malone of the Denver Nuggets speaks to the media during 2023 NBA Finals Practice and Media Availability on June 11, 2023 at the Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2023 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray officially available vs. Blazers
The Nuggets will have both Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray vs. Blazers
The Denver Nuggets are one of the best teams in the Western Conference right now, with a 33-16 record. But they have to face the Portland Trail Blazers on Friday night after falling to the Oklahoma City Thunder 105-100. The defending NBA champions faced further worrying news before their game against the Portland Trail Blazers, as both superstar big man Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray were listed as out due to back soreness. This came after a difficult loss without Jokic.
Both Jokic and Murray were initially listed on the Nuggets’ injury report for Friday’s game. Whereas the Serbian big man once again found himself listed as questionable due to his lower back pain, Denver’s star guard was listed as probable with a left knee contusion.
Fortunately, minutes prior to tip-off, the Nuggets announced that both Jokic and Murray are available to play.
Murray played 39 minutes in the Wednesday night loss to the Thunder, scoring 16 points and dishing out four assists. His second-lowest scoring total for the month of January was these 16 points.