With 17 games left in their regular season, the Denver Nuggets should have enough time to set a new course without guard Jamal Murray for what they hope is another extended playoff push.

The Nuggets began that process in earnest Wednesday with a 123-106 home victory over the Miami Heat in their first game without Murray, who tore his left ACL in the latter stages of a loss to the Golden State Warriors Monday. Murray will miss the rest of the season, cutting short what had been a career-best statistical campaign and putting a dent in the Nuggets' playoff fortunes.

And Denver, set to face the Houston Rockets on the road Friday, had legitimate championship hopes based a trio of factors: the surprising run to the Western Conference Finals last season; the improved play of late, with the Nuggets winning eight consecutive games prior to back-to-back losses against the Boston Celtics and Warriors; and the trade deadline acquisition of forward Aaron Gordon from the Orlando Magic, a move that strengthened their front court.