Bruce

Brown

While Murray was on the Nuggets’ pregame injury report with a hamstring issue, the guard arrived at the arena for Wednesday’s game dealing with an illness. He tried to gut it out but had to exit during the second quarter and has now been ruled out for the rest of the night. Bruce Brown entered the lineup to begin the third quarter. Murray finished with two points and one assist in eight minutes.

Bruce Brown tied a season-high in points on Thursday thanks to a sensational first half of basketball, when he scored 17 points on 6-of-8 shooting with three triples. He cooled down considerably after halftime but still finished as one of Denver’s top scorers on the evening. His facilitation was also impressive and important for Denver in his 25 minutes of game action. Brown isn’t a needle-mover in fantasy leagues or someone fantasy managers should be looking to add immediately, but he’s capable of having some productive nights.

The Nuggets can’t catch a break this season, as another key player will miss extended time. Watson sustained a right hamstring strain, and he won’t return until the first week of March at the earliest. Spencer Jones (head), Bruce Brown and Tim Hardaway Jr. could all be in line for extended run until Watson returns.

Watson, who has provided the Nuggets with excellent contributions as the team navigated multiple injuries, pulled up during the fourth quarter of Wednesday’s double-overtime loss to the Knicks. With Spencer Jones having exited earlier in the game with a head injury, the Nuggets relied more on Bruce Brown and Tim Hardaway Jr. in Watson’s absence. One may move into the starting lineup, but both will have streaming value in deeper leagues.

Watson played 33 minutes before having to leave Wednesday’s game, giving a foul to stop play before immediately limping back to the locker room. He finished with 10 points (4-of-13 FGs, 1-of-2 FTs), five rebounds, two assists, one steal, one block and one three-pointer. The Nuggets relied on Bruce Brown (10 points, five rebounds, three steals, one block and two three-pointers) and Tim Hardaway Jr. (19 points, six rebounds, two assists, one steal and four three-pointers) down the stretch, and that will be the case if Watson has to miss multiple games. Watson will undergo an MRI to determine the severity of his injury.

Gordon will miss a second straight game on Wednesday as he deals with a second hamstring strain. The injury has limited Gordon to just 23 appearances, which has been one of his best statistical seasons as a pro. Peyton Watson and Spencer Jones should continue to start at the forward spots, while Bruce Brown should come off the bench to play important minutes.

Murray will sit out on Friday due to lower-body injuries. His absence will come on the second game of a back-to-back, as the Nuggets look to put together back-to-back wins. The veteran point guard’s scoring and improved facilitating have been key for the Nuggets during Nikola Jokic’s extended absence (knee). Without Murray, Tim Hardaway Jr. and Bruce Brown could see increased opportunities.

Murray is dealing with right hamstring inflammation and left hip inflammation. With Christian Braun (ankle) out, Denver’s backcourt could be shorthanded if Murray is ultimately sidelined. Jalen Pickett and Bruce Brown could be in line for additional playing time against Milwaukee.

Brown will take on his usual role coming off the Nuggets’ bench. Unfortunately, he hasn’t been as impactful in fantasy basketball during his second stint with the franchise as he was in his first.

Brown is expected to remain available despite a lingering knee issue. He should continue to play his typical role off the bench, which hasn’t result in much fantasy production from him.