The Denver Nuggets came into Game 5 with a do-or-die situation in their hands. Following a bright start from the Jazz, the game’s fate looked like it had already been decided. Denver struggled to find its shots in the first half, and Jamal Murray did not fire his chances early in the game. 

Nikola Jokic had a perfect first quarter, going 8-8 from the field, including five 3s. The Joker’s heroics helped the Nuggets cope up with the early attack from Donovan Mitchell and the Jazz. However, the Nuggets needed something more than Jokic’s fine form. That’s when Jamal Murray replicated his form from Game 4. 

The 6’4” guard got off to a slow start, but ended the game with a bang. After a nine-point first half, 23-year-old Murray broke loose in the final two quarters. He took the game into his own hands, looking unstoppable with his driving layups. 

With a confident smile on his face, Murray carried the Nuggets on his back in the second half. Jamal Murray ended the game with 42.0 points, with 33.0 of them coming in the second half! Just how good is that? 

Even when Donovan Mitchell himself stood up to guard Murray, the latter dazzled and outplayed his opponent. Everything about him just looked smooth. The dribbles, the step back, his release, and the way the ball just found its way into the basket. Jamal Murray is an artist with the ball in his hands. 

Nuggets guard Jamal Murray joins NBA history books with impressive performance

Jamal Murray has been brilliant in recent games. He has 92.0 points, 19.0 rebounds, and 15.0 assists in his last two games, with zero turnovers. Since 1983, Murray is the first player in NBA playoff history to score back-to-back games with 40+ points and zero turnovers!

With his flawless scoring form in the last couple of games, Murray now has the highest two-game scoring span in Nuggets’ playoff history, surpassing Carmelo Anthony, who had 74.0, in 2010. 

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Murray did take his time to get on the scoring sheet, but he never let his focus drop throughout the game. The Canadian national registered a 40/8/8 performance in the victory while making no turnovers. With this feat, Murray joins Hakeem Olajuwon as the only players to have achieved this in the Playoffs since 1983. 

Murray knew his game was too hot to handle for the Jazz defense. His phenomenal burst completely shifted the momentum towards the Nuggets, who hardly led the game in the first half. Murray was beaming with confidence in the second, and was even caught saying, “They can’t guard me,” to Utah’s defense. 

Murray is not even 24-years-old. Since 1965, only three players have recorded a 40/8/8 game in the playoffs before turning 24. Tracy McGrady has done it, followed by the phenomenon that is Luka Doncic. Jamal Murray becomes the latest entrant in the list with his mesmerizing performance in Game 5. 

Murray’s brilliance and Jokic’s domination earned a 117-107 victory for the Denver Nuggets. They are ready for battle to earn a place in the second round.

Can Jamal Murray sustain his form in Game 6 and tie the series?