Jamal Murray shines, sparks All-Star conversation with 32-point explosion as Nuggets snap home woes
The Denver Nuggets have finally turned the tide at Ball Arena, breaking a perplexing four-game home losing streak that had fans questioning their team’s performance on familiar turf. In an emphatic display on Thursday night, they secured a 126-115 victory over the Orlando Magic, marking their second consecutive win at home.
Murray’s Standout Performance
While much of the spotlight was on Nikola Jokic, who recorded a remarkable triple-double with 23 points, 14 rebounds, and 16 assists—making history by surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most career assists by a center—co-star Jamal Murray was equally impressive. Murray lit up the scoreboard with 32 points, shooting 11-for-22 from the field and an exceptional 7-for-12 from beyond the arc.
Postgame, Jokic spoke highly of Murray’s contributions, noting, “Yeah, I mean, he shot the ball really well today. He was aggressive, and he made a lot of shots. He made seven threes, wow, I didn’t even know that. And it’s good to have somebody like that who is leading us, and you’re just trying to get him open or get yourself in a good position to get yourself open.”
A Career Year for Murray
Traditionally seen as a player who flourished in the playoffs, Murray has often faced criticism for slow starts to his seasons. However, this year has marked a significant shift. Following his standout performance against the Magic, Murray is now averaging 25.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 6.6 assists per game. His shooting numbers are impressive as well, with a 50.1% field goal percentage, 45.6% from three, and 89.1% from the charity stripe.
Murray has scored 26 or more points in nine of the 25 games played this season, and the Nuggets boast a strong 7-2 record in those contests. His season was notably highlighted by a jaw-dropping 52-point game in early December, showcasing his consistent value to the Nuggets.
All-Star Buzz Surrounds Murray
As the Nuggets continue to assert themselves in the league with a formidable 20-6 record, the conversation around Murray earning his first-ever NBA All-Star selection is gaining momentum. Should he secure a spot, it would also grant Jokic his first All-Star teammate, further solidifying the duo’s impact on the franchise.
With the Nuggets’ strong performance this season and Murray’s ascendant play, the chorus of fans advocating for his All-Star candidacy is only expected to grow louder. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on whether Murray can maintain this level of excellence and help lead the Nuggets to greater heights.
