DENVER -- Jamal Murray sat out the Denver Nuggets' showdown against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night as he continues to deal with a sprained left ankle and a swollen right knee.

Denver could have used him, falling 111-98 as the Timberwolves moved into a first-place tie in the Western Conference -- and the defending NBA champion Nuggets into third place behind Oklahoma City.

Speaking before the game, Denver coach Michael Malone said Murray was improving but "he's just not ready to go out there and compete at the level that we need him to."

Malone hinted that Murray might also miss the Nuggets' Sunday matinee against the Cleveland Cavaliers, but said he wasn't worried that his star point guard would be out for much longer.

"I do think he will be back on the court before the playoffs start" in mid-April, Malone said.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.