Nuggets losing hope with one of their star players?

The Denver Nuggets are running out of time before the end of the regular season, and reality may be starting to set in for them.

Joe Vardon of The Athletic reported Monday that the Nuggets are beginning to feel that injured guard Jamal Murray will not return this season. Vardon notes that Murray emerged from a G League practice assignment last week with some soreness. Nuggets head coach Mike Malone also said over the weekend that Murray is not particularly close to a return.

Michael Malone says Jamal Murray is “not close” to playing in any of the games. Said there’s a possibility he could go back down to Grand Rapids for another “practice block.” Also said there’s not yet a date determined when it would be foolish to bring him back.

— Mike Singer (@msinger) March 20, 2022

Murray is less than 12 months removed from a torn left ACL suffered in Apr. 2021. He is one of two major absences for the Nuggets right now along with forward Michael Porter Jr., who is recovering from spinal surgery. Vardon adds that Porter is considered more likely than Murray to return this year.

The regular season ends in less than three weeks, and the Nuggets currently hold the No. 7 seed in the West with reigning MVP Nikola Jokic carrying a significant load for the team. But late-season and postseason intensity is a different beast, especially for a player like Murray coming off major injury. While Murray has definitely looked good in some viral videos recently, it may be time for him to punt away this season and focus on next year.

Photo: Jeffrey Swinger-USA Today Sports