Jamal Murray Starts Nuggets Preseason Game

The Nuggets’ preseason is spotlighting both lineup continuity and roster uncertainty: Jamal Murray is set to start against Utah after sitting out Denver’s opener, though his minutes may be limited. Lonnie Walker IV, competing for the final roster spot on a non-guaranteed deal, played only about nine minutes in the opener, and Denver’s salary-cap constraints make adding a player who may not be in the rotation costly. Forward Spencer Jones is day-to-day with a hamstring strain, an injury the team is treating cautiously given his expected role and Denver’s recent problems with power-forward availability. Looking ahead, one analysis argues Cam Johnson could be more vulnerable than Christian Braun to losing a starting spot, while another suggests rookie Keaton Wagler could challenge Clippers starter Max Strus; the latter is unrelated to Denver’s preseason situation and is omitted.