Mile High Tape · Morning

DeRozan's Role Is Set. Murray's Return Could Change It Tonight

DeMar DeRozan is Denver's sixth man this season, and Jamal Murray's targeted return tonight turns that call into a live test.

By the Nuggets Nightly Desk · Tuesday, October 6

Mile High Sports confirmed DeRozan as the Nuggets' sixth man for 2026-27, locking in a decision David Adelman built toward all camp. Spencer Jones and Murray are both pegged to return for tonight's rematch at Utah, giving Denver its first real look at how DeRozan runs offense once Jokic sits and Murray's unit takes over.

Nuggets Nightly artwork — Illustration by Hoops Nightly.

A Passing Decision, Not a Demotion

DeRozan averaged 18.4 points and 4.1 assists last season as a starter. Mile High Sports' Ryan Blackburn reported that Adelman has settled on him as Denver's sixth man for 2026-27. The move matters less for his minutes than for who has the ball when Jokic rests — DeRozan now has to be a connector first, not a scorer running his own possessions.

Murray's Return Lines Up With Tonight

Murray is day-to-day with a personal issue, with an estimated return of October 6 — tonight, against the same Jazz team Denver just lost to. He ran 7.1 assists a game last season. If he plays, the real question is whether Adelman lets DeRozan and Murray share the floor at all, or keeps them apart so each always has the ball to himself.

Tuesday's Loss Showed What Was Missing

In the first meeting on October 4, Denver lost 97-109 with Julian Strawther (14 points) and Aaron Gordon (12) leading a group with no clear passer running it; Utah's Keyonte George had 15. Spencer Jones, also day-to-day with a hamstring issue, carries the same October 6 return estimate. A rematch two days later is Denver's chance to show chemistry extends past the starters.

Together or Apart?

Nothing from camp has signaled whether Adelman will pair DeRozan with Murray once both are healthy, or stagger them to protect two bodies returning on the same date. How he handles it tonight is the first real evidence of how this bench is meant to pass the ball.

Is Jamal Murray playing against the Jazz tonight?

Murray is day-to-day with a personal issue and has an estimated return date of October 6, the night of Denver's rematch with Utah.

Is DeMar DeRozan starting for the Nuggets this season?

No — Mile High Sports reported that DeRozan has been confirmed as Denver's sixth man for 2026-27 after starting 77 games last season.

By the Nuggets Nightly Desk, written from the club's data and the reports on file, with every name and number checked against them. How the desks work.