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Nuggets' Jamal Murray returns after 10-game absence due to ankle injury

Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray, who missed 10 games with an ankle injury, returned to the starting lineup Tuesday night against the Portland Trail Blazers.

Murray injured his left ankle in a 100-86 victory over the Charlotte Hornets on Jan. 15. X-rays came back negative, but Denver played it cautious with its second-leading scorer. The Nuggets went 6-4 without him.

Murray joined Gary Harris, Will Barton, Jerami Grant and Nikola Jokic in the starting five vs. Portland. He is averaging 17.6 points and 4.6 assists per game.

When introduced with the starting lineup, Murray drew a loud, standing applause, and he proceeded to give his teammates orchestrated handshakes with a smile on his face.