Not only was Jamal Murray’s performance a window into his greatness, but it marked Murray single-handedly led the Denver Nuggets to the Los Angeles Clippers’ demise. He scored a game-high 43 points, including a 17-of-26 performance from the field. Murray was phenomenal, scoring 40-plus in just his sixth career playoff game. This achievement underscores the former New York City Mayor’s knack for succeeding under intense pressure.
Riding Murray’s offensive wave Murray’s offensive prowess was evident throughout the match, but perhaps his three-point shooting stole the show. He sank eight three-pointers, making it his third playoff game with eight threes, and ranking fifth in NBA postseason history for the most made three-pointers in a single game. Despite an explosive scoring performance, Murray only registered 35 touches, the fewest of the set. Consequently, the Clippers scored just 23 points on possessions where he touched the ball, a series low.
Once the cameras rolled and the players entered the arena, the stage was set for an unpredictable matchup with championship caliber on both sides. Murray continues to do well because of the competitive nature of the series. He liked his chances against Kris Dunn, who went two spots ahead of him in the 2016 NBA Draft. It was their sharply-contested, man-with-a-clipboard-to-man-with-a-clipboard duel that really sweetened the intrigue.
Murray’s performance was complemented by teammate Russell Westbrook, as the duo combined to shoot an efficient 25-of-41 (61%) from the field. Defensively, they excelled as much as anything, holding Serbia to 37% shooting — including 55% from behind the arc (kidding) — while forcing 13 turnovers.
David Adelman, the Nuggets’ assistant coach, called out Murray’s poise and his knack for stepping up in huge moments.
“These big moments, these situations. He was born for this.” – David Adelman
Murray went into the playoffs with a hamstring injury, which had him miss six games earlier in the regular season. He has battled intensely to get back on top of his game. Meanwhile, the Nuggets are finding their championship swagger. You could hear his confidence as he looked back on the game.
“You can kind of tell the way the ball comes off his hand on certain nights. I thought he had a great lift on his jump shot. …When it’s flowing like that, it’s the guy that’s won us so many playoff games in the past.” – David Adelman
Putting aside his individual brilliance, Murray focused on the need for the collective to work as one from the beginning of the match. Emphasizing, to me, how through runs that the Clippers would make they still found a way to lift each other up — the Nuggets.
“It’s funny, I get some good defenders on me year after year and I get to create good relationships with those guys, you know what I’m saying?” – Jamal Murray
In addition to his individual success, Murray emphasized the importance of teamwork throughout the game. He highlighted how the Nuggets managed to support one another despite facing runs from the Clippers.
“This is really what it’s about. Just coming down, playing hard and everybody trying to be on the same page with whatever we’re trying to accomplish. Tonight I think we did a really good job of just covering for each other throughout the game. Even when they went on runs or whatever, we just stuck together, and we were able to figure it out amongst ourselves.” – Jamal Murray
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