It is no secret that the LA Clippers are facing a bit of an uphill battle this season. Not only are they having to deal with integrating important new players into the rotation, but they are also competing in a highly competitive Western Conference.
Last season, the race in the West was so tight that fourth place and tenth place were separated by just five games in the standings. This year, the competition looks to be every bit as competitive.
The Denver Nuggets are still the team to beat in the NBA, and they have historically had the Clippers’ number in the Nikola Jokic era. But on Wednesday afternoon, it was revealed that their starting point guard Jamal Murray will likely miss extended time due to a hamstring injury.
ESPN Sources: Denver Nuggets star Jamal Murray will be likely sidelined for the remainder of the month because of his right hamstring strain. pic.twitter.com/yfdxUZ5bkK
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) November 8, 2023
Jamal Murray’s absence will make the Clippers’ schedule easier
Murray had been dealing with hamstring tightness as early as training camp, and he exited the Nuggets’ game on Saturday after aggravating the injury. Now, he will likely be out the remainder of the month for the defending champions.
While we will never celebrate another player’s injury, there is zero doubting that this circumstance makes the Clippers’ upcoming schedule just a bit easier. LA is set to face Denver two times in November, six days from today on the road and then on the 27th at home.
Of course, Nikola Jokic is still the best player in the world, so these games will be far from easy wins. But having the Nuggets’ second-best player out of the lineup will give the Clippers an excellent chance to steal two wins against a team they could be neck-and-neck with by the end of the season.