Malone says pump the brakes on initial expectations for Jamal Murray

Jamal Murray tore his ACL in April of 2021, forcing him to sit out the entire 2021-22 season.

The star Nuggets guard is expected to begin next season as a go, but it’s not a full go based on what head coach Micheal Malone said on NBA TV during Wednesday’s Summer League game. Malone said Murray wouldn’t play 35 minutes a night, which is what he did average in his last healthy season. The coach said Murray would play 20-plus minutes a game when he does go.

More importantly, Murray won’t play in every game.

Michael Malone on NBA TV: To start the season, Jamal Murray's not going to play in every single game. He's not going to play 35 minutes. He'll play somewhere in the 20s to open the season.

— Harrison Wind (@HarrisonWind) July 14, 2022

So not only will the Nuggets not have bubble Murray as he ramps up during the regular season but they won’t have Murray at all some nights.

Before Murray was injured, he even improved over his remarkable run in Orlando during the 2020 postseason. Murray’s 48 games were the best of his career, scoring 21 points, adding five assists a game, and grabbing four rebounds a game on 48% shooting from the field and 40% from deep.

Murray ripped up his knee at Golden State. Klay Thompson, who had a similar injury, returned after two seasons away this year. Thompson missed a dozen games after joining the Warriors roster midseason and helping them win a title.

Murray was rumored to possibly be ready for the Nuggets series against the Warriors this past season but ultimately did not play.

The Nuggets guard joined the team’s Summer League practices, and there have been clips of him looking stronger.

Jamal Murray ⬆️ pic.twitter.com/AHWQZ0IPBL

— Mike Singer (@msinger) July 9, 2022

Malone’s quote isn’t too shocking to those following the Nuggets closely but is telling of how careful the team continues to be about Murray’s rehab.

The news also raises questions about the Nuggets plan for their backup guards. Bones Hyland had a great rookie season but has only started four games. Denver moved on from Monte Morris earlier this summer. Bruce Brown has played point in the past but is more of a wing at this point in his career while the only other true option is two-way undrafted signee Collin Gillespie.

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