Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray delivered a commanding response to recent criticism with a standout performance Tuesday night, leading his team to a 122-110 victory over the Memphis Grizzlies in the NBA Cup. Murray’s 27-point game included five three-pointers and six assists, capped by a stunning eight-point burst in just one minute during the fourth quarter that secured the win.
Jamal getting it going 🏹
27 PTS / 3 REB / 5 AST / 2 BLK / 3 STL pic.twitter.com/DZlPCKdW0V
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) November 20, 2024
This strong showing came at a pivotal moment for the Nuggets, who were without two key players—MVP Nikola Jokic, absent for the birth of his child, and forward Aaron Gordon. Denver had dropped their last two games, with Murray struggling to find his rhythm, shooting just 3-for-14 from three-point range and scoring a combined 29 points.
The pressure on Murray intensified after a controversial weekend trip to UFC 309 in New York on an off day, a decision that drew criticism when he followed it with a lackluster 13-point performance against Memphis in their previous matchup. However, in Tuesday’s rematch, Murray refused to back down, stepping into the leadership role his max extension demands.
Jamal Murray 🤝 Kamaru Usman
Just a friendly exchange between two champions 🏆 #UFC309 pic.twitter.com/rOiflCIQf6
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) November 17, 2024
Murray’s slow starts are nothing new. Historically, he has struggled in October and November, shooting 30.8% and 43% from the field in those months, respectively. But his return to form against the Grizzlies provided a much-needed boost for the shorthanded Nuggets and renewed hope for fans who anticipate his typical scoring surge in December.
Stop and pop
17 PTS / 2 REB / 4 AST / 2 STL / 2 BLK pic.twitter.com/Ht8avR9ZX9
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) November 20, 2024
For Denver, this performance serves as a reminder of Murray’s potential to be the team’s anchor alongside Jokic, even under challenging circumstances. With his critics temporarily silenced, all eyes will be on Murray to sustain this momentum as the Nuggets navigate a critical stretch of the season.
