INDIANAPOLIS — Denver’s shooting guard, Jamal Murray, was listed with uncertainty a few hours prior to Wednesday night’s contest against the Indiana Pacers.
As the game commenced, he ensured there was no room for doubt.
Just a couple of days following a right ankle sprain, Murray put forth one of the most dominant offensive displays seen in the NBA all year. He successfully made 19 of 25 field goal attempts, which included a remarkable 10-of-11 from beyond the arc, culminating in a season-best 52 points, leading to a 135-120 triumph over the reigning Eastern Conference champions.
His 91% success rate from 3-point territory equaled the highest single-game mark in NBA history (minimum 10 attempts).
“Simply keep shooting,” Murray stated when asked about his thought process as his shots continued to find their mark. “You’ve been engaged in this activity for an extended duration; there’s no necessity for excessive complication. Just engage, derive enjoyment, engage, derive enjoyment.”
Murray was so immersed in his performance that he even took a moment to provide an autograph — during active gameplay.
He was not alone in appreciating the spectacle.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver was present to observe Nuggets head coach David Adelman’s description of what he considered to be among the most efficient 50-point performances in recent memory. Bruce Brown, having rejoined Denver (15-6) following his NBA championship victory with the team in 2023, indicated that Murray’s exceptional shooting made his task simpler.
“Simply provide him with the ball,” Brown recounted his thoughts. “Move away, position yourself in the corner. If he requires assistance, I’ll be available, but I’ll promptly return the ball to him and permit him to proceed.”
Murray’s shot selection was diverse, including deep 3-pointers, shots from the midrange, and even conversions within the painted area. One particular shot struck the front of the rim and appeared destined to bounce away, only to remarkably redirect above the rim and drop through the net, just as the Pacers (4-18) had closed a 29-point deficit and were threatening a comeback in the fourth quarter.
The lone achievement that eluded Murray was matching his career-high total of 55 points, attained against the Portland Trail Blazers in February.
Such was the nature of the evening, reflecting the tenor of the season for both Murray and the NBA’s highest-scoring ensemble. Aaron Gordon registered 50 points during the season-opening defeat in October, Nikola Jokic amassed 55 points during a November victory over the LA Clippers, and now Murray contributed 52 points on a night when the Nuggets fell one point short of their season-best point total, recorded during a 139-136 loss to the San Antonio Spurs on Nov. 28.
Murray attributed their victory in this particular contest to, somewhat paradoxically, their defensive efforts.
“For my part, the defense serves as the engine for the offense,” he articulated. “I am aware that within the half-court setting, we execute proficiently, distribute the ball equitably. We are selfless, we execute cuts, we maintain movement, and we convert shots. I believe the distinguishing factor for us lies in our defensive execution, which augments our offensive capabilities and, conversely, prevents the opposing team from scoring.”
Murray’s enjoyment extended beyond his scoring exploits, as he also accumulated six rebounds, four assists, and committed only a single turnover.
This marked his second career performance featuring at least 50 points, a 75% shooting percentage, and fewer than two turnovers. Since the 1977-78 season, when individual turnovers began to be recorded, the remainder of the NBA has collectively produced only two such instances, courtesy of Michael Jordan and Dominique Wilkins.
Not a poor showing for an athlete whom Adelman initially intended to evaluate during pregame warmups before confirming his availability. However, Murray never expressed any doubt regarding his participation in assisting his team.
“It felt quite satisfactory, to be candid,” he remarked. “We implemented extensive treatment measures leading up to today’s game, and the result was favorable. Perhaps a slight degree of soreness surfaced near the conclusion of the initial quarter, but it posed no insurmountable challenge.”
Information sourced from ESPN Research and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
