Injuries continue to shadow the Denver Nuggets, lingering in their locker room and subtly affecting their performance. While these setbacks aren’t destroying the team’s season or causing long-term absences, they are becoming an ongoing concern, surfacing at inconvenient times and raising red flags.
A prime example came on Christmas when Aaron Gordon strained his calf during the third quarter in Phoenix. The Nuggets were trailing the Suns 70-68 in a game filled with ups and downs, and after Gordon powered through a layup, he appeared to be in discomfort as he ran the floor. He went to the bench, spoke with trainers, and was shut down for the night. Coach Michael Malone remains hopeful that Gordon will be ready for the next game against Cleveland, but the loss to Phoenix marked a setback for the Nuggets, their first Christmas loss in three years.
Earlier this season, Gordon missed 10 games due to a calf strain. Malone noted that soft tissue injuries like Gordon’s tend to linger, only exacerbating with explosive moves, and that Gordon was feeling the strain worsen during the game. Malone made the decision to remove him to prevent further damage.
The 110-100 loss to Phoenix was a strange one. Despite reasonable defense, Denver’s offense faltered. Players struggled with passing accuracy, and the team looked out of sync. Malone admitted that while the game felt unusual, the Nuggets were still in it, trailing by only two points despite playing poorly. The Gordon injury only added to the strangeness, but there was one consistent theme: the Nuggets’ struggle with injury-affected players.
Jamal Murray has been a key player in this trend. The Nuggets have a strong record of 8-1 when he attempts 17 or more shots, but they’re just 3-9 when he shoots fewer than 17. On Christmas, Murray shot 4 for 10 for just 13 points in his return after missing one game due to an ankle sprain. Before the injury, Murray had been on a roll, scoring 20 points in four consecutive games and helping lead the Nuggets to three wins.
Murray downplayed his injuries, saying he doesn’t use them as an excuse, but it’s clear that the team needs him to be more assertive when he’s on the court. His leadership is essential, and the Nuggets need to ensure he has space to operate and the opportunity to take shots.
In addition to his ankle, Murray is also battling a hamstring strain and plantar fasciitis, a chronic condition in his heel. He doesn’t see these injuries as the cause of his recent struggles, but they add to the season-long narrative of injuries plaguing the team. Gordon is dealing with recurring calf pain, and even Christian Braun has been playing through back and quad issues this month.
Nikola Jokic expressed frustration, acknowledging that the Nuggets should have a better record but recognizing that their poor performance has contributed to their record. Despite the setbacks, Denver remains competitive in the standings, though the Western Conference is currently so tight that every game feels crucial.
Murray remains optimistic, noting that every team faces struggles at this time of year, but the Nuggets know their potential and are confident that when they play well, they can be a dangerous team. Christmas served as a stark reminder that many of their challenges this season are rooted in injuries.
