The Denver Nuggets have been one of the better teams in the Western Conference so far this NBA season, currently sitting at a 36-25 record.
While they have been having a relatively good season thanks to the impressive play of MVP candidate Nikola Jokic, the Nuggets have been clearly missing a key second scorer without point guard Jamal Murray and forward Michael Porter Jr.
Murray is still recovering from a torn ACL from the 2020-21 season and has yet to play a game this year. Porter Jr underwent back surgery in November and has been out since then.
Now it seems that the team could be getting one or both of them back at the exact right time to make a deep playoff run. Reports dropped Monday that the Nuggets believe that there is a chance both Murray and Porter Jr. could make a return in time for the playoffs.
These reports have gotten many Nuggets fans excited to have the team back at full strength again.
Get those Nuggets WCF/Finals Futures bets ready https://t.co/3gjTDG9Fmx
— Gary Suarez (@iSuarez32) February 28, 2022
https://twitter.com/blavk4ammt/status/1498306571750805506
It was reported Sunday that Porter Jr. was expecting to return sometime in March, so it appears that Murray will be the one to keep an eye on for a return this season.
Denver Nuggets forward Michael Porter Jr., is progressing to be cleared for on-court contact within the next week, freeing a path for him to return to the lineup sometime in March, his agent Mark Bartelstein of @PrioritySports tells ESPN. Story: https://t.co/kGgAmFvgZs
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) February 27, 2022
While the reigning MVP would surely love to have both teammates back by the playoffs, Jokic says that he is more concerned about their long-term health than making a playoff run this season.
There is a strong sense that Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. will both be back in time for the playoffs, sources tell @sam_amick.
But Nikola Jokić isn’t thinking that far ahead.
“I’m just trying to win every game possible — every game.”https://t.co/0jrCZrsnYv pic.twitter.com/ebgUcZBMRc
— The Athletic NBA (@TheAthleticNBA) February 28, 2022
It will be interesting to monitor going forward for the Nuggets. On paper, they are a team that can compete with anyone in a stacked Western Conference at full strength.
