The Denver Nuggets have a record of 11-8 through the first stretch of the season. They have dealt with a handful of injuries but have yet to find their groove as a team. Despite having the consensus best player in the world, Nikola Jokić, their supporting cast has not been what it has been in past seasons. Jamal Murray needs a breakout game to return to the player he showed he could be. After the Nuggets won the NBA title in the 2022-23 season, Murray showed himself to be one of the league’s best co-stars, but he hasn’t provided that play nightly as he did during that playoff run. A breakout game could get him back into a groove, which the Nuggets need.
The Nuggets Need Jamal Murray to Have a Breakout Game
Early Season Struggles
It is no secret that Murray has struggled to start the season. Last season, he followed up his stellar NBA Finals run with the best season of his career. During the playoffs, his consistent play was not what it was in the regular season, and he hasn’t found his footing since then. Murray hasn’t just been struggling; he is a shell of what he was just a season ago. His 17.7 points per game average through the start of the season would be the lowest average for him since his second season in the NBA.
What is even more concerning for Murray so far is his poor efficiency. He is shooting career-lows in three-point percentage at 33.3% on 6.0 attempts per game and free throw percentage at 80.3%. Both percentages are significant drops from his 42.5% three-point percentage and 85.3% from the free throw stripe a season ago. Dropping over nine percent from three is a massive difference for a player on a max contract. With his poor start, it could be argued that Russell Westbrook, who has settled into a consistent role with the team, could start over Murray.
Murray Must Compliment Jokić
The Jokić and Murray two-man game has proven to be one of the most deadly combinations in the NBA. Their two-man game was the driving force behind their championship run two seasons ago. Having a dominant three-point and mid-range shooter with elite playmaking playing off of one of the best offensive players in the history of the NBA is nearly unstoppable. The Nuggets have shown that consistently over the past few seasons. That two-man game has struggled significantly this season, mostly due to Murray’s poor performances.
For that elite two-man combination to return, the Nuggets need Murray to return to the threat that he has been in the past. Despite not shooting well, Murray’s playmaking has remained elite. His 6.3 assists per game is good enough for 22nd in the NBA. He can still run the two-man game well due to his passing abilities, but his lack of shooting has allowed opponents to send more help on Jokić.
Jokić’s stellar play has allowed the Nuggets to maintain a record above .500, but with him potentially on pace for a fourth MVP, they could have a much better record. Murray must return to form for the Nuggets to compete for another championship. The only way for him to do that is by increasing his efficiency and picking up his slack on defense.
Murray Needs a Breakout Sooner than Later
The Nuggets need more from Murray. The easiest way for him to contribute more is by showing that he still can perform at a high level. There is no better way to show he still has that than having a breakout performance. During the 2023-24 season, Murray had 35 games with 20 points or more and eight with 30 or more. He only had 24 games with less than 20 points. Through his first 16 games this season, he has only scored more than 20 points six times. Murray hasn’t had more games with less than 20 points than more than 20 points since the 2019-20 season.
Murray has never been more desperate for a breakout game than right now. With an upcoming game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, who have a small backcourt, it is a great opportunity for Murray to perform well. He has a 53.7% field goal percentage against the Cavaliers throughout his career, the highest against any team. For Murray to return to his star-level play, he must show he can still dominate. The sooner a breakout game happens, the better for both the Nuggets and Murray.
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