DENVER — Point guard Jamal Murray returned to the Denver Nuggets' lineup on Friday night against Memphis following a six-game absence with an injured right hamstring. After a slow start following his signing of a four-year, $208 million contract extension, Murray entered the game against the Grizzlies averaging a career-high 21.6 points per game.

Murray last played March 26 against the Milwaukee Bucks. During his absence, the Nuggets lost a season-high four consecutive games, a skid that culminated with the Tuesday firings of coach Michael Malone and general manager Calvin Booth, who had long clashed.

While Nikola Jokic is at it and doing everything he can to keep the Nuggets afloat, his effort is not reaping results for the team as a helping hand from Jamal Murray is not there at the scene for a considerable period.