Will Jamal Murray play in Game 1 against Timberwolves today? What injury does he have?

Denver Nuggets point guard Jamal Murray is listed as questionable for today’s NBA Playoffs clash with the Minnesota Timberwolves, as the teams’ Western Conference semi-finals series kicks off in Colorado.

What injury is Murray carrying ahead of Minnesota clash?

Murray is struggling with a left calf strain, and has been “in and out” of the Nuggets’ practices ahead of Game 1, head coach Michael Malone said on Friday, per the Denver Post. “Just trying to be smart with that calf,” Malone added.

Murray’s leg injury also meant he was reported as questionable for Denver’s first-round Game 5 win over the Los Angeles Lakers on Monday. The 27-year-old finally played, and hit a late game-winning shot as the Nuggets beat the Lakers 108-106 to secure a 4-1 series victory over the Californians.

In total, the Kentucky graduate scored 32 points in Denver’s series-clinching victory at Ball Arena. He has played all five of the Nuggets’ 2024 postseason Games far, averaging 23.6 points for the defending champions.

Who else is on the Nuggets’ injury report for Game 1?

Small forward Vlatko Cancar remains a long-term absentee for Denver, having undergone knee surgery last August. The Slovenian tore his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) while playing for his national team in an exhibition match against Greece.

Timberwolves vs Nuggets: start time, how to watch

The Denver Nuggets host the Minnesota Timberwolves today, Saturday 4 May 2024, with tip-off at Ball Arena scheduled for 7pm ET/4pm PT. Viewers in the United States will be able to watch Game 1 of the conference semi-finals series on TNT, and can stream the action on the online platform fuboTV, which offers new users a free trial.

Enjoy the Timberwolves vs the Nuggets live on fuboTV.

What is Denver, Minnesota’s NBA Playoffs record?

The No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, the Nuggets are chasing only the second NBA championship in their History, having lifted their maiden Larry O’Brien Trophy with finals victory over the Miami Heat a year ago.

The third-seeded Timberwolves, meanwhile, have never won the NBA title. Indeed, this is the first time in 20 years that the Minnesotans have progressed beyond the first round of the postseason.

The winners of the best-of-seven series between the Nuggets and the Timberwolves will face either the Oklahoma City Thunder or the Dallas Mavericks in the Western Conference finals.