Despite resting many starters and having their backs against the wall vs. the 76ers on Monday, the Nuggets managed to pull out a 125-124 victory in overtime. In addition to superstar C Nikola Jokic (knee) being out, PG Jamal Murray and several others missed the matchup.
For Murray, a bum ankle has bothered him since he played through a sprain on Jan. 2 against the Nets. After a couple of days to rest up, might he make his return on Wednesday? 24-12 Denver could use his help against the 23-12 Celtics (7:00 p.m. ET on ESPN).
Let’s take a closer look at a Jamal Murray injury update and what it could mean for the Nuggets’ fantasy outlook. We’ll also weave in PrizePicks and PrizePicks Team Picks data for Denver vs. Boston.
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Jamal Murray Injury Update vs. Celtics Tonight
Per the Nuggets, Murray is listed as questionable with a left ankle sprain. Given that Monday was the second night of a back-to-back, it didn’t come as much of a surprise that he missed the matchup against Philadelphia.
That absence may have put him in a good position to return to the hardwood here. Of the Nuggets’ 36 games, Murray has played in 34 of them. The ninth-year man is enjoying a career year, posting personal bests in points (25.4), rebounds (4.6), and assists (7.2) per game.
Should Murray play, he faces a tough assignment. The Celtics’ defense yields the second-fewest PPG at 110.5, and it’s also excellent in fastbreak (12.9 PPG, third) situations. According to FantasyPros, opposing PGs post the fifth-lowest PPG mark (24.23) against them, too.
Nuggets’ Fantasy Impact if Murray Returns vs. Celtics
In addition to Murray, multiple others carry questionable designations into Wednesday night’s game.
On the morning injury report, the trio of G-F Tim Hardaway Jr. (management), SG Christian Braun (ankle), and PF Aaron Gordon (hamstring) is listed alongside Murray. Jokic, C Jonas Valanciunas (calf), and F Cameron Johnson (knee) are all out.
In 35 games, Hardaway has connected on a career-high 45.8% of his field goal tries. Braun pours in 10.7 PPG, albeit in just 12 outings. Gordon, who’s played in 14 contests, averages a personal best 18.9 points in his age-30 season.
Per databallr, the three-man lineup of Murray, Braun, and Gordon boasts a scorching +13.0 net rating. In just 17 minutes with Hardaway added in as a fourth, that rating jumps to +25.2.
Jamal Murray Projections vs. Celtics on Wednesday
Here are some of Jamal Murray’s player projections for Nuggets vs. Celtics on Wednesday, courtesy of PrizePicks.
- 26.5 Points
- 35.5 Pts + Asts
- 31.5 Pts + Rebs
- 40.5 Pts + Rebs + Asts
- 45.5 Fantasy Score
- 2.5 3-PT Made (Goblin)
- And More
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Make NBA Picks on PrizePicks
If Murray and company return to the lineup on Wednesday, Denver vs. Boston could be that much more intriguing. With that in mind, it’s time to turn your NBA predictions into rewards.
You can make your Nuggets vs. Celtics picks on PrizePicks and PrizePicks Team Picks and earn real money. Just pick players, predict More or Less on their projected stats, and cash in if you’re correct. With Team Picks, make predictions on winners, spreads, and over/unders, now available in 30 states.
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