Hoops Habit
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NBA Power Rankings Week 17: A new number one and a lot of injuries

By Corey Rausch

PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 14: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers guards Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets in the second quarter at the Wells Fargo Center on April 14, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - APRIL 14: Ben Simmons #25 of the Philadelphia 76ers guards Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets in the second quarter at the Wells Fargo Center on April 14, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /

7. team. 73. . 36-20. Previous: 3rd. Denver Nuggets

Last Week: Lost to Boston Celtics 105-87, Lost to Golden State Warriors 116-107, Beat Miami Heat 123-106, Beat Houston Rockets 128-99

This Week: 4/19 vs. Memphis Grizzlies, 4/21 at Portland Trail Blazers, 4/23 at Golden State Warriors, 4/24 vs. Houston Rockets

This week for the Denver Nuggets, the wins and losses are not what mattered. The season-ending injury for Jamal Murray suffered in the final moments of the loss to the Golden State Warriors has changed the future for the Nuggets. Without Murray, the Nuggets are far from the title contenders they were just a week ago. With this injury likely to carry over for most of next season, how the Nuggets’ plan for the future just became significantly more complicated.

For the time being, the burden falls on Nikola Jokic, Michael Porter Jr., Aaron Gordon and Will Barton to score the ball effectively. Monte Morris and the newly-signed Austin Rivers will try to replicate the way Murray helped run the offense, though neither will have the two-man chemistry that helped Nikola Jokic blossom into the MVP front runner.

Porter was the leading scorer for the Nuggets this week, posting a line of 23.0 points and 8.8 rebounds. He has flourished over the last few months, turning into a go-to scorer. That will have to become a consistent part of his game for the Nuggets to win a first-round series this season and find a way to maintain competitiveness next season until Murray comes back.