MINNEAPOLIS – The Nuggets flew into Minnesota on Tuesday, two days in front of their game against the Timberwolves, as a beat-up team.
was added to the list of injured players on Monday night. He sprained his left ankle in a loss at Toronto, and though X-rays came back negative, he needed crutches to get around after the game and it’s doubtful he’ll play Thursday night. With Barton down and already out, the Nuggets have one healthy shooting guard, rookie Jamal Murray.
Forward is close to a return, but hasn’t been able to suit up yet. Already the Nuggets depth is being tested.
“We need everybody,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said. “Gary Harris out, Will Barton is out now, Darrell Arthur is out, thatap one of the things about having a deep team, everybody’s got to be ready to play.”
If Harris and Barton can’t play on Thursday, Murray would be in line to see his most significant court time so far. He flashed some playmaking ability down the stretch at Toronto but has yet to make his first NBA field goal. He went 0-for-4 against the Raptors.
“I am not going to force a shot or just put one up,” Murray said. “I try and play for my team and be a playmaker.”
He was drafted by the Nuggets because of his ability to be a big-time shot maker, however. Malone said he’s tried to help keep Murray’s confidence up during an early season cold spell that has reached 0-for-8 from the field, including 0-for-2 from beyond the 3-point line. That lesson started in preseason when Murray passed up a wide open shot in a game against Oklahoma City after he’d already missed a few.
“I said, ‘Don’t do that. I don’t care if you miss 10 in a row. Keep shooting the ball, you are a shooter. We believe in you and we picked you for a reason,’ ” Malone said. “I want him to go out there and play with that kind of confidence. He has that, and he’s not scared of the moment.”
The Nuggets will know more about the status of all three of the injured players on Wednesday. Should Harris and/or Arthur get through a full practice, then their chances of playing rises exponentially. Harris has been out for a month with a strained right groin and is close to a return, but the Nuggets are being cautious with him to avoid any setbacks.
