On Sunday, Jamal Murray missed the Denver Nuggets’ fifth straight game because of a strained right hamstring. Michael Malone, the head coach, acknowledged the player’s absence and said he hoped the top point guard would be back before the NBA playoffs began.

Malone explained that prudence was not being used in the treatment of Murray’s injuries. Murray is truly hurt, he said. At first, the injury was classified as daily. But it has turned out to be more serious than anticipated. In reaction to Murray’s prolonged absence from the court, the team has modified their strategy.

Malone continued to have faith in his squad in spite of the defeat. He urged the other members of the team to take the initiative. He exhorted his players to play with vigor and resolve. The coach stressed how crucial it is to play desperate basketball, particularly in the latter stages of the regular season.

On Sunday, the Nuggets hosted the Indiana Pacers. Malone expressed cautious hope about Murray’s comeback prior to the tipoff. He expressed his optimism that the guard would be prepared for the postseason.

Denver lost to Indiana 125–111, its fourth straight loss. In the fiercely competitive Western Conference, the team’s future is now unknown. Every game has a lot of weight because the regular season is almost over.

Murray has already suffered a number of physical setbacks, and this ailment is the latest. He hurt his ankle in the last stretch of the previous season. His performance against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the second round of the playoffs was impacted by that injury. He also had trouble playing for Team Canada in the Olympics in Paris.

Murray’s absence occurs at an important moment. In the playoffs, the Nuggets are attempting to gain home-court advantage. That objective might be in jeopardy due to their recent slide. Murray is under constant observation by the coaching staff. The exact date of his homecoming is yet unknown.

A crucial player was also absent for the Pacers. Pascal Siakam, the star forward, missed Sunday’s game because of a right elbow injury. Siakam’s absence put Indiana’s fortitude and depth to the test even more.

The Pacers managed the task effectively even without Siakam. They played against the current MVP, Nikola Jokic, who is having yet another incredible season. In a single season, Jokic has the potential to become the first player in NBA history to finish in the top three in terms of assists, rebounds, and scoring.

Rick Carlisle, the head coach of the Pacers, admitted that defending Jokic was challenging. The Denver center is a unique talent, he said. Jokic’s versatility was highlighted by Carlisle, who pointed out that he could play any position. According to him, Jokic drives, rebounds, shoots, and handles the ball like a wing player. Carlisle claims that Jokic causes matchup issues for all of the league’s teams.

Jokic played well till the end of Sunday’s game. It was insufficient, though, to help the Nuggets defeat the Pacers. As Denver’s defense faltered, Indiana took advantage of crucial openings.

Apart from talking about Murray’s injury, Malone also talked about Russell Westbrook’s recent performance. After making late-game errors in a double-overtime defeat to Minnesota, the seasoned guard has come under fire. In the closing seconds of that game, Westbrook missed a vital layup and committed an expensive foul.

Malone supported Westbrook’s position on the squad. He gave the former MVP credit for assisting Denver in holding onto its standings all season long. He reminded onlookers of Westbrook’s complete efforts and cautioned against recency bias.

Westbrook’s presence and leadership were commended by the coach. According to him, Westbrook is essential to the team’s energy and flare. Malone also talked about the team’s problems with turnover. “The issue is not specific to one player,” he said. He claimed that turnovers are now a problem for the entire team.

Malone emphasized Westbrook’s significance even more now that Murray was out. Many of the roster’s younger players, he noted, have never played in the playoffs. Malone stated that the group might become more stable under Westbrook’s seasoned leadership.

Denver is currently in a critical stretch. There are only a few games left for the team to turn things around. Murray’s possible comeback is still up in the air, but the Nuggets want to be fully recovered for the start of the postseason.

Malone is currently concentrating on getting his squad ready to compete without one of its best players.