Kofi Inkoom
The Denver Nuggets are poised to be without key players – Michael Porter Jr., Jamal Murray, and Christian Braun – when they take on the Phoenix Suns in their preseason opener.
Michael Porter Jr., the forward for the Denver Nuggets, recently sustained a minor ankle injury, and as a precaution, he is expected to sit out the preseason opener against the Phoenix Suns.
Coach Michael Malone has emphasized the need to exercise caution with Porter, even though the injury isn’t severe.
Meanwhile, Jamal Murray and Christian Braun had limited participation in Monday’s practice, as disclosed by Coach Malone to the media. Murray is dealing with a mild hamstring issue, while Braun has a calf injury.
Given that starters often rest during one or two preseason games, this presents an opportunity for Denver to provide some extra rest to one of their highest-paid players, especially considering their shorter offseason due to winning the title.
It’s essential for them to be cautious with their players in light of the condensed offseason compared to other teams.
The positive development is that Porter’s ankle appears to be improving, as Malone mentioned that the swelling had subsided during a Sunday briefing. Although it’s unlikely that the sharpshooting forward will be available for the preseason opener, his return to the court shouldn’t be too far off.
The Nuggets will square off against the Suns at 9:00 PM CT on Tuesday in a matchup that still promises plenty of star power.
This game serves as a rematch of last season’s Western Conference Semi-Finals, and while the preseason isn’t an official rematch, it will be an exciting encounter between these two talented teams after a long summer.