Michael Malone emphasized the importance of having a proven player like Russell Westbrook to fill in for Jamal Murray during his absences. He expressed confidence in Westbrook's ability to contribute significantly, noting the positive chemistry between Westbrook and Nikola Jokic.

Michael Malone has been actively seeking ways to alleviate pressure on Jokic this season, successfully allowing him to play less than 30 minutes in the game against the Clippers and not utilizing him in the fourth quarter.

Michael Malone indicated that Jamal Murray was able to participate in portions of practice, suggesting that the guard is making progress and could be listed as questionable for the upcoming game against the LA Clippers.

Michael Malone recognizes the effectiveness of the Jokic-Westbrook duo, stating that good things happen when they are on the court together. He plans to increase their minutes, particularly while Jamal Murray is sidelined, and aims to continue maximizing their pairing even after Murray returns.

Michael Malone is experimenting with various strategies to address the Nuggets' struggles, indicating a sense of urgency as the team grapples with roster limitations and inconsistent performances from key players. His approach reflects the challenges imposed by ownership constraints on roster building, emphasizing that most improvements will need to come from within the current team dynamics.