Nuggets star Jamal Murray leaves pre-season game with left thigh soreness

Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) directs teammates in the first half of an NBA preseason basketball game against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Monday, Oct. 3, 2022, in Denver. (David Zalubowski/AP)

Denver Nuggets star guard Jamal Murray, only just returning to action after tearing his ACL midway through the 2020-2021 season, left Friday’s pre-season game against the Chicago Bulls with left thigh soreness, the team announced.

Nuggets fans have been waiting nearly a year and a half to see their team back at full strength—this pre-season marks the first time that their big 3 of reigning-MVP Nikola Jokić, Murray, and Michael Porter Jr. have taken the court together since Murray’s injury on Apr. 12, 2021.

Before his injury, Kitchener, Ont.’s Murray was showing signs of blossoming into a superstar. He dominated in the NBA’s quarantine bubble playoffs, averaging 26.5 points, 6.6 assists, and 4.8 rebounds across 19 games.

Provided that Murray and Porter Jr. can stay on the floor, Denver could be a strong candidate to come out of the West this season.

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