DENVER — On Wednesday night, Jamal Murray’s performance was as impressive as his emotions were intense. Having been thrown out of a previous game against the Portland Trail Blazers for some heated exchanges on Monday, Murray returned determined to make a statement. With a career-high 55 points, he played a pivotal role in the Denver Nuggets’ 132-121 win against the Blazers.
“They (the Trail Blazers) shouldn’t have done that,” noted Nuggets forward Zeke Nnaji regarding the incidents of trash talking. “When he’s mad, there’s no one in the world that can stop him.” Murray showcased his explosive skill reminiscent of his “Playoff Murray” phase, a time when he significantly contributed to the Nuggets’ journey to their first NBA championship last year.
Murray’s first-half performance was remarkable; he scored 30 points in just two quarters, sinking long-range shots with remarkable precision. When the Trail Blazers altered their defensive strategy after halftime, Murray simply adapted, aggressively driving towards the basket. He concluded the night with an impressive shooting record of 20 for 36, which included seven successful three-pointers. This performance ranks as the third-highest scoring game in franchise history, following David Thompson’s 73-point game and Nikola Jokic’s 56-point outing.
Coach Michael Malone praised Murray: “He was just ultra-aggressive tonight. As a coach, watching your player excel like that makes you incredibly proud. He has been performing exceptionally well for us, and tonight was his best statistical game ever.”
The tensions with the Blazers had begun earlier in a match that ended in a substantial 146-117 victory for Denver. Murray was ejected after picking up two technical fouls, and the squabbles from that encounter fueled his motivation for Wednesday’s game.
“It’s just all competitive spirit,” Murray explained after the game. “I came prepared to play. Being familiar with a playoff-like atmosphere, where you face the same team repeatedly, adds an intensity that got me ready. I was truly ready today.”
After the game, his teammates gifted him the game ball, signed by all of them, a gesture that reflected their camaraderie. “It’s just years of chemistry with those guys,” he remarked. “They know me, and I know them, which is why this team is so effective. I may have shot well tonight, but I couldn’t have done it without them.”
Overshadowed by Murray’s scoring was another outstanding effort from Nikola Jokic, who also had an impressive game with 26 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists, marking his 25th triple-double of the season.
Murray demonstrated his explosive talent despite contending with lingering injuries throughout the season, including knee and hamstring issues as well as a sprained ankle. “I feel the same,” he expressed. “I’ve been the same player for years now. … I came into this game with energy, ready to perform, especially after what happened in the last game.”
