FILE – Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray towards the Miami Warmth in the course of the second half of Sport 5 of basketball’s NBA Finals, Monday, June 12, 2023, in Denver. Murray introduced Wednesday, Aug. 16, that he won’t play for Canada within the World Cup. Murray mentioned he wants extra time to rehab to prepare for the common season. (AP Picture/Jack Dempsey, File)
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — Jamal Murray of the NBA champion Denver Nuggets introduced Wednesday that he won’t play for Canada within the World Cup, citing a necessity for ongoing restoration after a protracted season.
Murray was in camp with the Canadian crew earlier this month, however he didn’t accompany the crew to Germany and Spain for its exhibition video games that can precede the World Cup whereas weighing his choices.
“After I got here into coaching camp, I needed to see how my physique would reply after a protracted and demanding season and if I might be bodily capable of compete on the highest stage required for the World Cup,” Murray mentioned in an announcement distributed by Canada Basketball. “In session with medical workers and the crew, it’s clear that extra restoration is required, and I’ve made the troublesome determination to not take part within the event.”
Murray mentioned he nonetheless considers it “a dream of mine to symbolize Canada on the Olympics.” The Canadians would qualify for the 2024 Paris Video games if they’re among the many high two finishers from the FIBA Americas area on the World Cup; in any other case, they’ll have to undergo extra qualifying video games to attempt to make the Paris discipline.
Murray joins a protracted checklist of NBA gamers who thought-about taking part in within the Fiba World Cup however couldn’t due to harm points or different rest-related considerations. Amongst them: his Denver teammate and NBA Finals MVP Nikola Jokic of Serbia, Greece’s Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks, Latvia’s Kristaps Porzingis of the Boston Celtics and France’s Victor Wembanyama of the San Antonio Spurs.
Canada will play France, Latvia and Lebanon within the group stage of the event that begins Aug. 25 within the Philippines, Japan and Indonesia. The Canadians — who can be led by All-NBA guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander of the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder — will play group video games in Jakarta.
Murray missed the 2021-22 season due to an ACL tear. The Nuggets’ title run lasted till this previous June, and the World Cup medal rounds are about three weeks earlier than NBA groups will open coaching camp for the approaching season.
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