Injuries have been far from the biggest story for the Nuggets through their two losses at home to the Timberwolves, but it’s impossible to deny that they’ve been a factor. The health of Jamal Murray has been something to watch all season as he’s dealt with an ankle issue, a knee issue, and currently a calf issue.
He has been managing the injury as well as one can but he hasn’t looked great in the playoffs and game two was a low point - maybe for his whole career. To make matters worse, Murray’s fellow backcourt mate is now dealing with an abdominal injury. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope has looked badly hampered and it has impacted his play on both ends.
As if that wasn’t enough, backup point guard Reggie Jackson left game two with a calf injury. The Nuggets were already a relatively thin, top-heavy team, and now that depth is really being put to the test. It doesn’t help that all of their guards are hurt and they are facing a team with tons of length and ball pressure.
Down 0-2 it’s do or die time for the Nuggets and they are going to need all hands on deck to have any chance. Whatever these guys can give the team, they’ll have to take it. Luckily, the team has had three full days off, so hopefully they’ve had time to get treatment, rest up, and heal enough to look a lot better in game three. If not, that could be the end of the road for the Nuggets.
Nuggets injury report
The Nuggets are offiically listing all three of Jamal Murray (calf), Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (abdominal), and Reggie Jackson (calf) as questionable. Given the stakes, you’d have to imagine all three guards will suit up and attempt to give it a go, but unfortunately, it seems clear that none of the Nuggets’ guards are at full strength.
Timberwolves injury report
The Wolves will get new father Rudy Gobert back after he missed game two for the birth of his child. That means it’s a completely clean injury report for Minnesota and everyone will be fully available for game three.
Betting odds
The Wolves enter game three as 4.5 point home favorties and the game has a total of 204.5 points.