The Denver Nuggets face the Phoenix Suns on Monday night in a game that will be the second night in a row. The Nuggets beat the New Orleans Pelicans in overtime on Sunday and listed starting point guard Jamal Murray as questionable in their initial injury report for that game with a sprained right ankle.

Murray played 41 minutes in the overtime win over New Orleans, which made his appearance on Monday’s injury report not all that surprising. Given his injury history, the Nuggets have been cautious with Murray and his workload. This is especially true now that the Nuggets have a capable starting point guard in Russell Westbrook on the bench.

The Nuggets updated their injury report for Monday’s game and ruled out Murray.

Via Bennett Durando of The Denver Post: “Jamal Murray (ankle sprain) won’t play tonight, says Michael Malone.”

Westbrook will start in his absence. Speaking to reporters before a game against the LA Clippers earlier this month, Nuggets head coach Michael Malone spoke about Westbrook’s ability to step in as a starter.

“Yeah, I know Jamal isn’t going to play 82 (games),” Malone said of the Nuggets signing Westbrook this summer. “You like to think that all your guys don’t miss a game and play 82, but when you sign a guy like Russell Westbrook, who comes off the bench in LA at this stage of his career – and Jamal will hopefully play 75 games , but knowing he’s going to miss games, to have a guy who’s a proven starter.”

Westbrook will face longtime teammate Kevin Durant, who plays for the Suns. The two players have had entertaining battles as opponents since their time together in Oklahoma City.

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