The Denver Nuggets' championship aspirations took a crushing blow after Jamal Murray sustained a torn ACL on Monday night against the Golden State Warriors.
Denver's betting odds have taken a hit, as well.
According to SportsBetting.com, the Nuggets carried 16-to-1 championship odds prior to Murray's injury. Those odds have since fallen to 22-to-1, with Denver's odds of winning the Western Conference slipping from 8-to-1 all the way to 12-to-1.
The decrease resulted in a subsequent increase in the Los Angeles Lakers' championship odds, with the Los Angeles Clippers also getting a bump.
Murray's injury is as wrenching as it is frustrating for the Nuggets.
The 24-year-old had emerged as a star during last season's NBA restart and was really starting to make his mark as a top combo guard. Murray was especially terrific in February and March, giving the Nuggets that much more firepower with his three-level scoring ability and playmaking.
But Denver will have to make up for lost production in the backcourt with Murray hitting the shelf. The Nuggets are at least fortunate enough to have a quality reserve option in Monte Morris, who is likely to take over as the starting point guard.
In any case, there is even more responsibility on Nikola Jokic and newcomer Aaron Gordon as the Nuggets soldier on without Murray.
Jokic is having an MVP-caliber season. Denver is 7-2 since Gordon came over from Orlando at the trade deadline. Yet both guys–especially Gordon–will have to elevate their level of play even higher for the Nuggets to navigate a crowded Western Conference.
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