Despite concerns over a left calf strain, Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray will take the court in Monday"s pivotal Game 5 against the Los Angeles Lakers, ESPN"s Adrian Wojnarowski reports.
Murray"s status was uncertain after he was listed as questionable by the Nuggets on Sunday. However, Coach Michael Malone confirmed in his pregame conference that Murray would undergo warmups before making a final decision on his participation.
Michael Malone says Jamal Murray (left calf) remains questionable for Game 5. A Nuggets source told ESPN that Murray would go through warmups and make his determination to play or not after that.
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) April 30, 2024
The guard, who appeared to sustain the injury during Game 4, was seen warming up with a protective wrap around his calf and was subsequently cleared to play.
The news comes as a relief to the Nuggets, who are seeking to close out the series after winning the first three games before dropping Game 4 to the Lakers. A win in Game 5 would see Denver advance to face the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second round of the playoffs.
Murray"s contributions have been crucial for the Nuggets, averaging 21.2 points, 6.5 assists, and 4.1 rebounds per game during the regular season. His remarkable shooting, including a career-high 42.5% from 3-point range, has been instrumental in Denver"s success.
His memorable buzzer-beater in Game 2 of the series highlighted his importance to the team, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure.
With Murray cleared to play, the Nuggets will look to regain their momentum and secure a crucial victory in Game 5 against the Lakers.
