Kris Murray Upgraded to Questionable for Nuggets Game, Will Start Tuesday

kris murray was upgraded to questionable on the Portland Trail Blazers' injury report for Friday's game against the Denver Nuggets, and recent coverage also lists him as the starter for Tuesday's game against Minnesota. The moves matter as Portland balances returns from a lumbar strain and gaps in its rotation while several other players remain sidelined.

Questionable for Friday vs. Nuggets

The Trail Blazers announced that Murray is listed as questionable with a lumbar strain for the matchup with the Denver Nuggets, which is scheduled for 7: 00 PM ET on Friday. Also listed as questionable is wing Matisse Thybulle with right knee tendinopathy. Two notable absences on the report are Damian Lillard (left Achilles tendon) and Shaedon Sharpe (left calf strain), both listed as out for the game.

Kris Murray to start Tuesday

Separate coverage notes that Kris Murray will be in the starting lineup for Portland on Tuesday against Minnesota. That start will come with Deni Avdija sidelined with a back issue, creating the opening in the starting five. The Tuesday start would represent Murray’s integration into the rotation following his recent return from injury.

Where Murray stands statistically

Murray’s reported season totals differ by role: across 34 appearances he has averaged 6. 1 points and 4. 0 rebounds in 25. 7 minutes per game. When used specifically as a starter this season (11 starts), he has averaged 7. 4 points, 4. 8 rebounds, 1. 5 assists and 1. 4 steals in about 29. 2 minutes per start. He is also noted to be in his third outing back from a 19-game absence tied to the lumbar strain.

Impact on Portland’s rotation

With Lillard and Sharpe unavailable and Avdija sidelined for the Tuesday matchup, the Blazers are adjusting their lineup decisions in the short term. If Murray is cleared to play Friday, his questionable designation would mark a potentially quicker return to action; if he instead appears as the listed starter on Tuesday, that will reflect a planned role boost while other regulars remain out. The team has released the injury list changes, and those designations will determine short-term rotation choices.

Key takeaways

• Kris Murray is questionable for Friday’s 7: 00 PM ET game vs. Denver with a lumbar strain.
• He is also listed to start Tuesday’s game against Minnesota, stepping in with Avdija out.
• Season splits show modest increases in production when Murray starts versus his overall per-game averages.

These developments are subject to the official game-day availability decisions; any final status updates will come through the team’s injury listings ahead of each matchup. The Blazers' management of minutes and lineup on both Tuesday and Friday will indicate how quickly the team expects Murray and other wings to return to sustained roles.