TITLE: Injuries Leave Jamal Murray as Nuggets’ Lone Starter; Thunder Lose Cason Wallace to Knee Contusion; JJ Redick Emphasizes Effort for Lakers’ Dalton Knecht
SLUG: nuggets-murray-solo-wallace-injury-knecht-effort
CONTENT:
With most of Denver’s regular starters sidelined, guard Jamal Murray is the only member of the Nuggets’ usual first five still available. Murray said he plans to meet the additional pressure by “bringing energy, playing hard, controlling what you can control, playing together, talking, being a leader,” according to The Denver Post.
Acting head coach David Adelman acknowledged opponents are keying on Murray until Nikola Jokić and others return. “He’s gonna get doubled and blitzed,” Adelman said, adding that Murray has “kept making the right play” despite the extra attention.
Thunder
Cason Wallace exited Friday’s matchup with Golden State after suffering a right knee contusion and did not return, sideline reporter Nick Gallo said on the broadcast. The guard logged 14 minutes; he had averaged more than 26 minutes per game in March.
Oklahoma City picked up the fourth-year option on Wallace’s contract in October. He will be eligible to negotiate an extension starting in July.
Lakers
Dalton Knecht went scoreless in 11 minutes against the Grizzlies on Friday, missing both of his shot attempts. Head coach JJ Redick said offensive numbers are not the measuring stick for the second-year wing. “Play hard,” Redick told reporters, noting Knecht “isn’t going to be judged on whether he makes or misses shots.”
Knecht’s minutes have declined after appearing in 78 games as a rookie, but Redick said players who consistently provide energy will continue to receive opportunities, particularly when effort is lacking elsewhere in the rotation.
Source: Hoops Wire
