This week, the NBA announced the reserves for the 2026 All-Star Games. The new tournament format will feature two United States-based teams and one team of international players.
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray earned his first All-Star selection. This season, Murray is averaging 25.5 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 7.5 assists over 45 games.
During a recent press availability, Murray shared his thoughts on the upcoming All-Star Game.
"I really kind of lost interest in All-Star just watching whatever they're doing out there. I'd rather go on vacation if that's the basketball we're going to be playing. I know Wembanyama will play. I know Giannis will play if he were to. I want to be one of those guys that’s known as someone who’s going to play hard whenever he steps on the court.”
Murray is a member of Canada's men's national team. He was part of Canada's silver-medal-winning squad at the 2015 Pan American Games.
Murray later competed in the 2024 Paris Olympics, where Canada was eliminated by France in the tournament's quarterfinals. The Ontario native averaged 5.7 points and 4.7 assists over three games.
Based on Murray's international background, it is presumed that he will be placed on Team World for the All-Star Game. Other foreign-born All-Star selections include Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Doncic, and Victor Wembanyama.
In his nine-year professional career, Murray is best known for winning an NBA championship with the Denver Nuggets in 2023. Throughout Denver's championship series against the Miami Heat, Murray was the franchise's second-leading scorer and its leader in assists.
After lifting a championship banner, Denver would face elimination in the Western Conference semifinals in the two following seasons. The franchise’s most recent playoff loss came against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
With a 33-17 record, the Nuggets hold the third-best record in the Western Conference. Although three-time MVP teammate Jokic is coming off a 16-game absence, the Nuggets remained strong playoff hopefuls when Murray was leading the charge.
Murray is slated to make his All-Star Game debut on February 15. It will provide an opportunity for the 28-year-old guard to challenge the league's top talent.
Newsweek