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Jamal Murray has been carrying a big part of the offensive load in Game 5 of the series between the Denver Nuggets and Minnesota Timberwolves. In a nip-and-tuck battle, Murray’s scoring has been a bright spot for the home team.
In one sequence in the third quarter, the explosive guard had fans on their feet with this shot:
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Nikola Jokic quickly pushed the ball to Jamal Murray after securing a rebound off a Timberwolves miss. Murray zoomed past Mike Conley before hitting a circus shot over Anthony Edwards. The basket gave the Nuggets an early 50-47 lead early in the third quarter.
Murray's circus shot wasn't the only thing that stood out in his game against the Minnesota Timberwolves on Tuesday night. "Glitch's" timely baskets in the first half allowed the Nuggets to overcome an early 25-12 deficit.
Nikola Jokic struggled early on, hitting just two of his first eight shots. Jamal Murray refused to let the game get out of hand with gutsy shotmaking.
After the game, Denver coach Mike Malone praised his team's starting point guard:
"I felt Jamal made a couple of shots. And Jamal [Murray] plays with so much emotion. And I think he got our team going. ... Jamal just wouldn't quit, you know? And he made big shot after big shot.”
Jamal Murray hasn't been to the playoffs since the 2020 "Bubble" playoffs. He was expected to be a breakout star before injuries got in the way. Murray is slowly but steadily regaining his form.
The Minnesota Timberwolves are out of the playoffs partly because the Denver Nuggets now have Murray in the lineup.
Nikola Jokic had this to say about Jamal Murray:
“He was our best player this series.”
Nikola Jokic finished with Jamal Murray started
Nikola Jokic's dismal first half shone the limelight on Jamal Murray. The starting point guard carried the team's scoring burden for a big chunk of the first 24 minutes of the game.
Murray acknowledged that the Nuggets started flat but slowly turned things around when the Minnesota Timberwolves started talking.
Despite the reigning MVP's struggles for the entire game, he took over down the stretch in the fourth quarter. Jokic scored eight points to keep the Timberwolves at bay.
Jokic's and-1 bucket against Karl-Anthony Towns gave the Denver Nuggets a 108-104 lead with 28.1 seconds left in the game. "The Joker" also converted the ensuing free throw to increase the lead even more.
Michael Porter Jr. also made several crucial baskets in the final period. "MPJ" didn't score until 10:08 left in the game. Porter Jr.'s eight fourth-quarter points, however, gave the Nuggets a much-needed cushion against the relentless Minnesota Timberwolves.
Nikola Jokic capped off the Nuggets' collective effort with a scintillating clutch endgame performance. He finished with 28 points, 17 rebounds, 12 assists, two steals and two blocks.
