Rank Country Gold Silver Bronze Total
    View Today
    Sun, Nov 5

    A year since tearing ACL, Jamal Murray status remains uncertain

    Jamal Murray return still hazy a year since he blew out a knee
    Apr 11, 2022
    undefined
    The Nuggets say it's up to Jamal Murray whether he plays this season.
    PHOTO: AP

    DENVER — Tuesday (Wednesday, Manila time) marks the anniversary of Jamal Murray tearing his left ACL and the Denver Nuggets say it's still up to their star point guard whether he's ready to return for the playoffs or wait until next season.

    For several weeks Murray has been putting on a show at practice and in pregame warmups, but he's still not confident in his surgically repaired knee he injured last April 12.

    "Obviously, he's not there yet," coach Michael Malone said on Sunday night. "That's a real big mental hurdle to make ... he has good days and he has days that are not as good. And that's been very challenging for him mentally."

    Malone said the organization will continue to leave it up to Murray to decide when he's ready to return to the lineup "whether that's in the playoffs or that's next season."

    Jamal MurrayThe Denver Nuggets are not rushing the return of Jamal Murray

    MORE FROM SPIN
    MORE FROM SPIN

      Despite dunking a few times at practice Saturday, when he was in a jovial mood, and sat down with Malone for an extended chat, Murray missed regular season finale against the Lakers.

      "You see him out there dunking the ball and I'm sure you guys are thinking, 'He looks really good,'" Malone told reporters. "But from Day 1, from the bus ride from the San Francisco hotel to the airport when he had just suffered the injury the night before (we told him) there's going to be no rush, there's going to be no pressure. And that continues to this day."

      Recently, reigning MVP Nikola Jokic said he admonished Murray not to return to action if he's not 100% both mentally and physically because it wouldn't make sense to rush back and risk getting hurt again.

      ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW ↓

      Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph

      Read Next
      Watch Now
      Sorry, no results found for
      The Nuggets say it's up to Jamal Murray whether he plays this season.
      PHOTO: AP
    • POLL

      • Quiz

        Quiz Result