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Nikola Jokic doesn’t want to think about the returns of Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr.

The more the days pass, the more Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. are getting closer to a return to competition. After almost 11 months of waiting for the leader, victim of a rupture of a cruciate ligament in April 2021, against almost 4 months of convalescence for the winger, back operated in November 2021.

Inevitably, this prospect comes at the right time for the Nuggets, currently ranked in 6th place in the Western Conference (36 wins – 25 losses). Largely thanks to the exploits of Nikola Jokic, elected MVP in 2021 and who maintains an incredible level of play this season: 25.5 points, 13.8 rebounds, 8.0 assists and 1.4 interceptions on average (at 57% on shots, 36% at 3- pts and 81% in throws)!

However, even if Denver could soon be full again as the playoffs approach (or almost full, because Vlatko Cancar is injured in the foot), the “Joker” does not want to ignite on the returns upcoming Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr.

« To be completely honest, I don’t think about it “, he confided on this subject. ” I’d rather they come back healthy than in a rush. That’s why I don’t think about it. Above all, I wish them a 100% return. As for me, I just make sure to win every game. And I feel fit. »

Returns expected… but not necessarily immediately beneficial?

Cautious, Nikola Jokic is probably aware that reintegrating Michael Porter Jr. and especially Jamal Murray (who carries the ball more than “MPJ”) will require more or less time to adapt. Especially since doing so at this stage of the season is not particularly optimal, since the important deadlines arrive quickly and the margin of error is reduced accordingly.

Still, in the event that the Murray / Porter Jr. duo struggles to regain their splendor as soon as they return to the courts, the Nuggets have at least one certainty: that of the solidity of their “role players”, who have brilliantly taken over the interim in recent months.

« The beauty of basketball lies in the fact that there will always be a player to raise his level of play: Monte [Morris], [Aaron Gordon]Will Barton… “, thus noted Nikola Jokic, who must undoubtedly hope that the future presence of his two lieutenants does not disturb the collective alchemy found in their absence. ” We play collectively and someone constantly manages to outdo themselves. We should be happy to find ourselves above 50% of victories, considering our injuries. But I think we shouldn’t think about it either, because we need to look forward instead. »

And what is also certain is that Jamal Murray (like Michael Porter Jr.) will not fail to want to do well, once fully recovered from his injury suffered in the spring of 2021. In the hope, in particular, of doing better that this conference final reached in 2020, in the Orlando “bubble”…

« I think he can’t wait any longer “, estimated to conclude Nikola Jokic, about the Canadian leader. ” He is eager to return to competition, because he is a very competitive person. He travels with us outside, he is in contact with the team and he is on the right track. »

TirsBounces
PlayersMJMinTirs3ptsLFOffDefUntilPdBpIntCtFtePts
Nikola Jokic5433.156.736.680.52.810.913.78.03.71.40.72.625.8
Will Barton5332.344.837.380.20.64.34.93.91.90.80.51.515.4
Aaron Gordon5531.852.133.974.21.64.25.92.61.80.70.51.914.6
Monte Morris5430.148.439.385.70.42.63.04.31.00.70.21.212.9
Jeff Green5624.550.431.482.30.52.63.11.30.90.30.42.110.2
Bryn Forbes1720.045.042.089.50.10.91.11.20.80.20.11.610.1
Michael Porter, Jr.929.435.920.855.61.05.66.61.91.31.10.21.89.9
Bones Hyland4818.036.734.387.30.22.62.72.11.20.50.32.18.7
Zeke Nnaji3916.754.048.761.31.42.33.70.40.50.30.31.96.8
Demarcus Cousins913.231.626.370.81.94.66.41.12.40.80.32.96.4
Jamychal Green4715.045.728.487.71.02.73.70.90.90.70.42.36.3
Austin Rivers4621.241.534.669.00.31.41.71.20.80.70.11.66.1
Facundo Campazzo5520.037.832.080.60.41.51.93.71.11.10.42.05.9
P.j. Dozier1818.936.431.276.90.82.73.51.60.70.60.31.85.4
Vlatko Cancar1410.956.458.375.00.41.21.60.90.60.10.20.94.3
Markus Howard235.936.542.692.90.00.30.30.30.30.30.00.53.9
Of that Reed3013.447.443.480.00.32.12.51.00.30.60.11.33.9
bol bol145.855.625.040.00.31.11.40.40.30.10.10.32.4
Rayjon Tucker39.850.050.075.00.31.01.31.30.00.30.01.02.0
James Ennis34.633.30.00.00.30.30.71.00.30.00.00.31.3
Petr Cornelie132.933.312.575.00.50.51.10.20.30.10.10.51.1
Carlik Jones22.050.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.00.01.0

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