Nuggets' Murray Confident Team Will Bounce Back with Gordon, Watson Returns

Denver has struggled with injuries, but Jamal Murray believes the team will regain its championship-level depth when key players come back.

Mar. 2, 2026 at 2:39pm

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The Denver Nuggets have been dealing with injuries to several key players, including Nikola Jokic, Aaron Gordon, and Peyton Watson. Despite a rough February, Jamal Murray remains confident that the team will bounce back once Gordon and Watson return from their injuries.

Why it matters

The Nuggets have been one of the top teams in the Western Conference, but their recent struggles have raised concerns about their ability to compete for a championship. Getting Gordon and Watson back healthy could be a major boost to their depth and help them weather a tough upcoming schedule against playoff teams.

The details

The Nuggets finished February with a 4-8 record, including losses to the Thunder and Timberwolves. However, Murray believes the team will be "good" once they get healthy, especially with the returns of Gordon, who has missed the last 16 games, and Watson, who has been out for the last 9 games. The early March stretch of the schedule will be a big test for the Nuggets, and having a fully healthy roster could help them weather the upcoming storm of competition.

  • Gordon has been sidelined for the past 16 games.
  • Watson has been out for the last 9 games.
  • The Nuggets take on the Jazz on Monday evening.

The players

Jamal Murray

The starting point guard for the Denver Nuggets who remains confident in the team's ability to bounce back from their recent struggles.

Aaron Gordon

A key starter for the Nuggets who has been sidelined for the past 16 games.

Peyton Watson

A reliable role player for the Nuggets who has been out for the last 9 games.

Nikola Jokic

The Nuggets' star center who had been sidelined for 16 games with a hyperextended left knee before returning.

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What they’re saying

“For sure it's frustrating. It's uncharacteristic, but it's okay. Once we get healthy and figure it out… We'll be good. I'm excited for what's in store for us.”

— Jamal Murray

What’s next

The Nuggets take on the Jazz on Monday evening before facing a tough stretch of games against playoff teams in both the East and West.

The takeaway

The Nuggets have been dealing with a rash of injuries, but Jamal Murray's confidence in the team's ability to bounce back once they get healthy suggests they could still be a force to be reckoned with in the Western Conference playoff race.