Nuggets' Jamal Murray: Expected back before playoffs

The Nuggets have growing optimism that Murray (knee) will be ready to make his 2021-22 season debut prior to the start of the playoffs, Sam Amick of The Athletic reports.

Murray, who tore the ACL in his left knee last April, is still in rehab mode following surgery, but Denver coaches and members of the training staff have been encouraged by how the 25-year-old has looked during his recent workouts. While Denver has yet to pinpoint a precise timeline for Murray to resume playing, a target date could become more clear once he graduates from shooting and conditioning drills to non-contact practice. Whenever he's deemed ready to make his season debut, Murray will likely face limitations with his playing time and could sit out one half of back-to-back sets, so whenever he returns, he shouldn't be expected to immediately produce at the level he did in 2020-21.