After missing three games, Jamal Murray let the 3-ball fly in his return to the Nuggets’ starting lineup in Friday’s 135-122 win over the Heat.
Murray missed Denver’s last few games after a collision in Minnesota landed the Nuggets’ starting point guard in the NBA’s concussion protocol. He bounced back with a season-high 28 points on 9 of 17 shooting and a 4-of-10 mark from 3-point range. He added six assists and four rebounds.
“I liked how aggressive he was,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said. “He didn’t try to ease himself back in. I was just telling him that in the locker room. I think an aggressive Jamal Murray is an effective Jamal Murray.”
While his coach appreciated the aggressiveness, Murray said it wasn’t a focus of his coming in.
“Obviously, I had fresh legs,” Murray said. “A ton of energy, excitement today. Maybe that played a part.”
The 27-year-old sunk his first shot, a pull-up 3 in transition that gave the Nuggets a 17-6 lead in the first five minutes. Though he missed his next two shots and finished the first quarter with three points on as many shots, the first triple was just a sign of things to come for both Murray and the Nuggets. Denver finished 18 of 35 (51.4%) from 3-point range.
Murray went on to become the first player in franchise history to hit 1,000 regular-season 3s after making his third of the night, a step-back late in the second quarter. Seven of Murray’s first eight shots came from 3-point range, and he finished the first half 5 of 10 from the field, and 3 of 8 from deep, for 15 points.
“Just playing my game,” Murray said, downplaying any emphasis on getting the 3s up. “They went under (screens) a couple of times, and I shot it. Some games, I don’t shoot any 3s. Today was vice-versa. I’m just kind of reading the defense.”
Murray matched his season high of 24 points with one of his signature, step-back jumpers from midrange early in the fourth quarter. He set a new season high with another midrange jumper after the Heat closed with seven in the final five minutes. He finished second in scoring to Nikola Jokic, who finished with third consecutive triple-double with 30 points, 14 assists and 11 rebounds. Christian Braun and Michael Porter Jr. added 21 points apiece, while Peyton Watson, who started in place of an injured Aaron Gordon, made sure all five starters finished in double digits with 16 points.
Game analysis and insights from The Gazette sports staff including columns by Woody Paige and Paul Klee.
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Tyler Herro led the Heat with 24 points, while Bam Adebayo and Duncan Robinson added 20 points apiece.
Prior to the Minnesota game, Murray had played 37 or more minutes in Denver’s first four games. That included the Nuggets’ first back-to-back set of the season. Murray played just under 35 minutes in his first game back.
“Felt good, my head feels OK. Just happy to be out there and play with the team again, obviously in front of the home crowd,” Murray said. “Great energy, just happy to be back.”
NUGGETS 135, HEAT 122
What happened: The Nuggets led by 13 after the first quarter and overcame a slow start to the second to lead 71-60 at halftime. Denver led by 14 to start the fourth and held off a late Miami surge to improve to 4-0 on the current homestand.
What went right: The Nuggets enjoyed a wildly efficient start and finished the first quarter with 40 points. Denver shot 70% from the field, 66.7% from 3 and made all six free throws. Jokic and Porter each scored 10 points in the opening quarter.
What went wrong: Denver’s bench didn’t do its job during the 3 minutes and 8 seconds Nikola Jokic rested in the first half. The second unit lost those few minutes by 10 points, forcing Michael Malone to take a timeout and get back to his starters after the Heat closed within three. Malone didn’t go back to Zeke Nnaji in the second half, instead playing Peyton Watson and Michael Porter Jr.
Highlight of the night: Peyton Watson provided a spark for the second unit early in the fourth quarter. The third-year wing ran a pick and roll with Russell Westbrook, who supplied a perfect bounce pass to Watson in the middle of the lane. Watson collected himself and went up for a one-handed tomahawk jam that put Denver up 18 in the final 11 minutes.
Up next: The Nuggets wrap up a five-game homestand Sunday against Dallas.
