NBA Notes: Nuggets, Jamal Murray, Thunder, Cason Wallace, Lakers

Nuggets

Right now, Jamal Murray is standing alone.

With injuries wiping out the rest of Denver’s usual starting five, Murray is the lone regular still available, and he knows exactly what that means for both him and the Nuggets.

“It sucks,” Murray told Bennett Durando of The Denver Post. “You’ve just gotta focus on bringing energy, playing hard, controlling what you can control, playing together, talking, being a leader.”

Opponents aren’t hiding their approach. Until Nikola Jokic and others return, Murray is going to see constant pressure.

“He’s gonna have attention beyond attention,” coach David Adelman said. “He’s gonna get doubled and blitzed. We have to do things for Jamal, and he has to keep making the right play.”

So far, Adelman said, Murray has done exactly that.

Thunder

The Thunder saw Cason Wallace exit Friday’s game against Golden State with a right knee contusion and not return, according to sideline reporter Nick Gallo.

Wallace played 14 minutes after averaging more than 26 minutes per game last month. Oklahoma City exercised its option on his fourth-year contract in October, and Wallace will be eligible for a contract extension beginning in July.

Lakers

Dalton Knecht didn’t make much of a statistical dent in his 11 minutes Friday, finishing scoreless on two shot attempts vs. the Grizzlies. That wasn’t the point.

Coach JJ Redick made it clear that effort remains the standard for Knecht, not production.

“Play hard,” Redick said, via Khobi Price of the Orange County Register. “He’s not going to be judged on whether he makes or misses shots.”

Knecht’s role has shrunk considerably after appearing in 78 games as a rookie, but Redick said players who consistently bring energy will continue to get chances — especially when effort becomes an issue elsewhere in the rotation.