Report: Murray, Porter on track to return for playoffs, if not sooner

The Denver Nuggets expect both Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. to return from their respective injuries in time for the postseason, if not sooner, sources told The Athletic's Sam Amick.

Murray has been sidelined since last April after tearing his ACL, while Porter hasn't played since Nov. 6 following his third back surgery. Nuggets president Tim Connelly stated on Feb. 11 he expected both players to be physically cleared "in the not too distant future," but didn't provide specific timetables.

Porter's agent recently said the 23-year-old plans to return at some point in March after he was initially expected to miss the rest of the regular season.

Denver is tied for fifth in the West with a 36-25 record despite playing most of the 2021-22 campaign without Murray or Porter. Reigning MVP Nikola Jokic's performance has been significant for the shorthanded Nuggets, posting 25.5 points, 13.8 rebounds, and eight assists per game.

"I think he cannot wait," Jokic said of Murray's forthcoming return, per Amick. "He cannot wait to come back at the end, just because of how competitive he is. He's traveling with us. He's with us. So I think he's in a good spot."

Before undergoing surgery, Porter averaged 9.9 points across nine appearances, which marked a significant dropoff for him after posting 19 points per game last season. Meanwhile, Murray averaged 21.2 points, 4.8 assists, and 1.3 steals in 2020-21.