Jamal Murray
Jamal Murray rarely wastes words, and his latest comments landed with intention. As he navigates the most productive season of his career, the Denver guard framed his mindset simply, saying he is just hooping. The numbers say far more. With the Denver Nuggets shorthanded for long stretches, Murray has carried a heavier load and delivered career highs across the board, all while keeping his approach loose and confident.
Murray entered Wednesday night’s matchup against the Boston Celtics averaging 25.4 points, 7.2 assists, and 4.6 rebounds, while shooting 48 percent from the floor and 44.7 percent from deep. Every figure marks a personal best. His production has mattered even more with three time MVP Nikola Jokic and other starters cycling in and out of the lineup due to injuries. Denver has leaned on Murray not just to score, but to steady the group.
“I’m just playing free, having fun,” Murray told Andscape. He added that organizing the team has felt natural because of Denver’s high basketball IQ, allowing him to stay aggressive while keeping others involved.
Playing Free After Years of Physical Setbacks
Health has shaped much of Murray’s career arc. Early on, he rarely missed time, playing 82, 81, and 75 games in his first three seasons. That rhythm changed dramatically after a torn ACL in April 2021, an injury that sidelined him for an entire season and altered his availability in the years that followed. Since 2019, Murray has not topped 67 regular season games in any campaign.
Despite those hurdles, he proved his value when it mattered most. During Denver’s 2023 championship run, Murray appeared in all 20 playoff games and averaged 26.1 points, 7.1 assists, and 5.1 rebounds, helping deliver the franchise’s first NBA title. He later described years of playing through issues quietly, sacrificing comfort to stay on the floor.
That cycle pushed him toward a different approach last offseason. After Denver’s seven game loss to Minnesota in the 2024 Western Conference semifinals and a demanding international run with Canada at the Paris Olympics, Murray stepped away. Nuggets coach David Adelman said the break helped him find balance physically and mentally, noting that Murray returned with clarity and calm rather than force.
Murray echoed that sentiment, explaining he avoided basketball for about a month before focusing on lifting, running, and body maintenance. The goal was to reset mentally while preparing physically. The result has been a season where he looks loose, decisive, and in control.
All-Star Dreams and Even Bigger Ambitions
One achievement still missing from Murray’s resume stands out. He has never made an NBA All Star team. Fan voting has not pushed him near the top, leaving his best path through a coaches’ selection as a reserve. The timing adds intrigue, with the league introducing a new format featuring two U.S. teams and one World team in a round robin event in Los Angeles.
Asked if he still thinks about All Star recognition, Murray did not hesitate. “All Star, everything. Scoring champ. MVP. All of it,” he said.
Those goals sound bold, especially given Denver’s injury list that has included Jokic, Aaron Gordon, Christian Braun, and Cameron Johnson. Still, Murray’s leadership and Denver’s depth have helped the Nuggets reach a 24 and 12 record, fourth in the Western Conference.
Murray believes a healthy roster can return to championship form. He pointed to consistency, attention to detail, and nightly effort as the standards required in a crowded West. If Denver gets closer to full strength, Murray’s play suggests he is ready for whatever responsibility comes next.