The Nuggets will be severely shorthanded when they open their NBA re-start campaign Saturday morning against the Heat.
Denver will be down starters Gary Harris (right hip muscle strain) and Will Barton (knee soreness), while point guard Jamal Murray (left hamstring tightness) is questionable for the opener. Nuggets reserve Vlatko Cancar was also listed on Friday’s injury report with a left foot fracture.
After arriving late to Orlando, Harris missed all three of the team’s scrimmages. Barton only played 18 minutes in the first half of Monday’s scrimmage. When asked how his knee responded, Nuggets coach Michael Malone said: “He’s continued to keep on working on his rehab, getting with our training staff and trying to integrate himself back into the lineup and into the rotation.”
The Nuggets are already limited in their depth at shooting guard. The absences of Harris and Barton will likely mean more minutes for Torrey Craig, Michael Porter Jr. and Troy Daniels against the Heat. If Murray can’t go, expect Monte Morris to get the start.
