The Denver Nuggets faced the Boston Celtics in a highly anticipated interconference matchup on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, but the night quickly became less about basketball strategy and more about the health of one of Denver’s cornerstones—Jamal Murray. The All-Star guard, fresh off his first career selection to the NBA’s midseason showcase, entered the contest as a crucial piece for a Nuggets squad already dealing with a battered roster. But just minutes after tip-off, Murray's night took a dramatic and unexpected turn.
From the opening whistle, all eyes were on Murray, who had been listed as probable leading up to the game due to lingering right hamstring tightness. The Nuggets, a team that’s been one of the Western Conference’s best over the past decade—including their 2023 NBA championship run—have leaned heavily on Murray’s scoring and playmaking abilities. Through 53 games this season, he’s been on a tear, averaging a career-high 25.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game, while shooting a blistering 48.3% from the field and 42.3% from downtown. Those numbers have not only propelled Denver into playoff contention but also earned Murray long-overdue recognition as an elite NBA guard.
Yet, despite being cleared to play, Murray’s performance against the Celtics was anything but routine. He managed just two points and one assist in eight minutes on the floor, missing both of his three-point attempts and shooting 1-for-3 overall. With 4:09 left in the first quarter, Murray was subbed out for Bruce Brown, a move that at first glance seemed like standard rotation management. However, as the second quarter began and Murray remained on the bench, speculation grew. Was his hamstring acting up again?
The answer came swiftly from the Nuggets’ official X account: Murray was not dealing with a recurrence of his hamstring injury, but rather an illness. He was listed as questionable to return, but as the game wore on, it became clear that he would not be coming back. By the start of the second half, the team had officially ruled him out for the remainder of the contest. According to Nuggets coach David Adelman, "He looked awful. They gave him all the medication. It did not help. ... All kinds of bodily things were happening." Adelman’s frank assessment underscored just how unwell Murray truly was.
The timing couldn’t have been worse for a Denver team already missing key players. Aaron Gordon and Peyton Watson were both ruled out before the game due to their own injuries, and Jalen Pickett remained sidelined with right knee soreness. Julian Strawther, who had been listed as probable with a left great toe sprain, was upgraded to available and started, providing a much-needed scoring punch in recent games. Strawther had averaged 15.5 points per game over his last six starts, shooting 50.7% from the field and 40% from three-point range. Still, the absence of Murray—Denver’s trusted late-game closer and shot creator—loomed large over the proceedings.
On the other side, the Celtics were also shorthanded, with star forward Jayson Tatum still recovering from Achilles surgery. However, Jaylen Brown returned to the lineup after missing the previous game with a knee contusion, and Derrick White continued his strong play, coming off a 22-point, eight-rebound, eight-assist performance against Phoenix the night before. The Celtics entered the game at 38-19, while the Nuggets, following a tough road loss to Golden State, held a 36-22 record and were desperate for a statement win—especially after dropping six of their previous nine games and seven straight against teams with winning records.
Murray’s early exit forced the Nuggets to lean heavily on their bench and, as always, on Nikola Jokic. The reigning three-time NBA MVP had been a force in the previous game, notching 35 points, 20 rebounds, and 12 assists, and once again shouldered the offensive load in Murray’s absence. Players like Bruce Brown and Tim Hardaway Jr. saw increased minutes, while KJ Simpson and Spencer Jones were called upon to provide additional support. The Nuggets’ depth was put to the test, but the team responded with resilience.
Despite nearly nothing from one of their stars, the Nuggets managed to pull off a 103-84 victory over the Celtics. It was a much-needed boost for a team that’s been battling adversity all season long. But the win was bittersweet, with fans and teammates alike anxiously awaiting updates on Murray’s condition. The initial relief was that his absence was not due to a re-aggravated hamstring, a problem he’d managed to play through in recent games. Instead, the hope is that his illness is a short-term setback, one that won’t keep him out of action for an extended period.
Murray’s importance to the Nuggets cannot be overstated. His ability to create his own shot, facilitate for teammates, and deliver in clutch moments has made him one of the league’s most valuable guards. As noted by Athlon Sports, "Denver cannot afford to be without Murray for long stretches. He is essential to their hopes of securing a top seed in the Western Conference and making another deep postseason run." The good news is that this latest setback appears to be illness-related and not another injury, which means it should not linger if properly managed.
Looking ahead, Denver’s medical and coaching staff will be monitoring Murray closely. The team’s next few games will be critical in determining how they navigate his absence—if any—while maintaining their position in the playoff race. With Gordon, Watson, and Pickett still out, the pressure on Jokic, Strawther, and the supporting cast will only intensify. But if there’s a silver lining, it’s that the Nuggets have proven they can adapt and overcome, even when the odds seem stacked against them.
As the NBA season barrels toward its final stretch, the health of Jamal Murray remains one of the biggest storylines in Denver. The Nuggets faithful will be holding their breath, hoping their All-Star guard can shake off this illness and return to the court sooner rather than later. For now, the Nuggets will savor a hard-fought win over a formidable Celtics squad, but the focus quickly shifts to Murray’s recovery and the challenges that lie ahead.