Jamal Murray out with sprained ankle against Suns; not out of the question for Christmas

Nuggets point guard Jamal Murray sprained his right ankle Sunday night in New Orleans, causing him to miss Denver’s Monday night home game against the Suns, coach Michael Malone said.

Malone did not rule out a return to Murray on Wednesday when the Nuggets visit Phoenix for a primetime rematch that will be part of the NBA’s Christmas Day schedule.

“On the plane back, (we) hoped it would improve and the swelling would go down,” Malone said. “(The ankle) received treatment throughout the night, this morning, but obviously didn’t respond as we had hoped. So we’re going without Jamal tonight and hopefully it’s not a long-term thing.”