DENVER -- The Denver Nuggets are currently facing a challenging situation as their star point guard, Jamal Murray, sat out his fifth consecutive game on Sunday due to a strained right hamstring. Head coach Michael Malone expressed cautious optimism about Murray's return, stating that he hopes the talented player will be back just in time for the start of the NBA playoffs.

Coach Malone emphasized that the decision to keep Murray on the bench was not merely about being cautious; instead, he confirmed, “Jamal's hurt. It's not [being] careful. He's hurt.” The coach described the injury as a frustratingly ambiguous situation, noting, “This has been a weird one. It was day-to-day, day-to-day. The next thing you know it's not day-to-day.” This revelation underscores the significance of Murray’s absence, which Malone acknowledged as a considerable loss for the team. Nevertheless, he remains confident in the strength of the roster, remarking, “We have more than enough. We've shown that time and time again in that locker room. So, if Jamal is unable to go, we need other guys to step up and play desperate and play urgent.”

Before the game against the Indiana Pacers on Sunday, Malone reiterated his hopes for Murray's timely recovery, saying, “Hopefully, he's able to be back by then.” However, the Nuggets faced a setback during the game, suffering their fourth consecutive loss, which places them in a precarious position in a tightly contested Western Conference.

Murray, who struggled with a sprained ankle towards the end of the previous season, also faced difficulties during a second-round playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves and while playing for Canada in the Paris Olympics. His ongoing injury raises concerns not only about his health but also about the team's overall performance as they look ahead.

Adding to the challenges for the Nuggets, the Indiana Pacers were also missing their star forward, Pascal Siakam, who was sidelined due to a right elbow injury. Siakam's absence made it even more difficult for the Pacers as they prepared to face Nikola Jokic, who is on the brink of achieving a historic milestone. Jokic is poised to become the first player in NBA history to finish in the top three for scoring, rebounds, and assists in the same season.

Indiana coach Rick Carlisle recognized the monumental task of facing Jokic, stating, “If you think about it, he's really playing every position on the floor. He's handling the ball a lot of the time. He plays the five. I mean, he really does the things that every position on the floor does.” He further added, “It’s another historic year for him and we've had a lot of problems with him.”

In addition to addressing Murray’s absence, Malone spoke about the performance of Russell Westbrook, who experienced a couple of critical mistakes during a recent double-overtime loss against the Timberwolves. Despite these blunders, Malone defended Westbrook's contributions to the team, stating, “We wouldn't be where we are right now, in fourth place with four games to go, if it wasn't for Russell this year.” He acknowledged that it's easy to fall prey to recency bias, where people might focus on recent failures rather than the overall contributions a player has made throughout the season.

Malone expressed his respect for Westbrook, stating, “I respect Russell Westbrook and I’m also appreciative of everything he's done for this team this year on the court and off the court.” As the Nuggets confront their challenges, the head coach emphasized the need for Westbrook’s veteran presence, especially with Murray sidelined. “We need him to come into the game, provide a spark, bring energy -- and our turnovers aren't just Russ. ... It is a team-wide issue right now,” Malone said. He acknowledged the value of having a seasoned player like Westbrook in crucial games, especially when many of the other players are inexperienced in high-stakes situations.

As the Nuggets prepare for the final stretch of the regular season, the urgency to perform and secure a favorable playoff position is palpable. The team's ability to handle adversity will be tested in the coming weeks, and all eyes will be on Murray's recovery as well as the performance of his teammates.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.