Jamal Murray Drops 45
Jamal Murray scored 45 points and hit clutch free throws with 31.8 seconds left as Denver beat Utah 128-125 last night. Nikola Jokic sealed it with a critical block on Keyonte George in the final seconds. Jazz pushed without several starters but couldn't close the gap in Salt Lake City.
This 45-point outburst is among Jamal Murray's best, though his career-high remains 55 points, which he scored against the Portland Trail Blazers on February 12, 2025. The Canadian guard, who was named an NBA All-Star for the first time in 2026, is averaging 25.7 points per game this season. The victory improves the Denver Nuggets' record as they battle for playoff positioning in a competitive Western Conference. Meanwhile, the Utah Jazz's struggles continue, with their record keeping them near the bottom of the conference standings. The Jazz were severely shorthanded, missing a number of key players due to injury. Their lengthy injury report includes Lauri Markkanen, who is out with a hip problem, as well as Jusuf Nurkic and Vince Williams Jr., who are both out for the season. This game adds another chapter to the long-standing rivalry between the two franchises. Historically, the Jazz have the upper hand in the regular season series. However, the playoff history between the two teams is evenly split.
