Reinforcements are coming. Maybe. Probably.

Veteran forward JaMychal Green is expected to make his Nuggets (1-3) debut Friday after missing the first four games with a left calf strain. Green, who was Denver’s biggest free-agent addition, should fortify the team’s frontcourt against Phoenix and help stabilize a fluid second unit.

What’s more, the Nuggets, who rank 29th defensively in the NBA, badly need his interior toughness.

Nuggets coach Michael Malone said Green practiced again today and looked “great.”

“We signed JaMychal because he is a guy that has been through the NBA wars,” Malone said, adding he “should be able to go.”

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In addition to Green, Denver’s head coach said he hoped Jamal Murray would be available as well. Murray was listed as probable on the team’s injury report while Green was officially marked questionable. Murray suffered a right elbow contusion late in the Houston game Monday. He missed Tuesday’s game against the Kings after going through warmups and feeling some discomfort in his shooting elbow.

Malone said Murray took part in “most” of practice, which focused primarily on the defensive end.

Tuesday’s loss to Sacramento, Denver’s second in four games, was an alarming exhibition of NBA defense. Transition chances, one-on-one containment, perimeter awareness and effort were all subject to valid criticism.

“Discipline, effort, energy,” Malone said when referring to his defense, which was allowing 15.3 3-pointers per game, the fourth-most in the NBA. Other metrics, like opponent 3-point percentage, were equally as unforgiving.

“Those numbers are not sustainable if you want to be a team that makes the playoffs,” Malone said.

But after re-grouping following Wednesday’s off-day, Malone was pleased with the energy in the gym. He, Gary Harris and Paul Millsap were all positive after the spirited practice — an indication that the bitterness from Tuesday’s loss to Sacramento had faded.

“29th in the league in defense just sounds horrible,” Millsap said. “… Once we make our minds up that we want to be a good defensive team, that’s when we become it.”

Each year it seems to take some internal challenge or realization before their defense clicks. Malone said he got on his guys at halftime of the Kings game after they’d allowed a 42-point quarter. Though it’s unfair to hang full defensive responsibility on Michael Porter Jr. — Malone’s starting small forward as of four games ago — he’s received a significant share of the criticism.

Malone acknowledged Porter’s in a tough spot given he’s played the equivalent of one regular season, with playoff games included, since being drafted in 2018.

“With Michael, I have to remind myself,” Malone said. “Michael was a rookie last year. He hadn’t played in two years. He has missed valuable reps and game experience. And, yes, he started in the Bubble, played well, did a good job for us in the playoffs, but he is still a very young player. And experience is going to help him.

“We spent a lot of time watching film as a team, but also with him individually, trying to help him with the footwork, the philosophy, where he should be and what his reaction should be. The hope is that obviously as you do it more and more, experience is the best teacher, he’ll continue to get better.”

Get your cheeseburgers: When Millsap chose to re-sign with the Nuggets in free agency this offseason, he said the chance to play alongside Nikola Jokic in his prime played a factor. Through four games, Jokic has three triple-doubles and has started to generate mild MVP buzz. Millsap, who played in his 1,000th career game Tuesday night, has aged gracefully next to the All-Star center.

Of Millsap’s 18 field goals so far this season, 13 have been assisted by Jokic.

“He’s throwing cheeseburgers,” Millsap said. “Free cheeseburgers. Just grab as many as you can. … I don’t eat cheeseburgers. But if they’re free and they come to me, I’m gonna eat a few.”