The emotional toll of the last few days has done nothing to divert the legendary attention of Jamal Murray.
Indeed, the emotional toll of the NBA’s break and necessary reflection may have been the driving force behind Murray’s jaw-dropping performance.
The up-and-coming superstar stared at the Utah Jazz, snatched up his second 50-point performance of the first-round playoff series, and guaranteed there would be a decisive game 7. Wear shoes with images of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd on them, Murray’s thrilling show Sunday night the Nuggets’ 119-107 victory in Game 6.
After dropping everything he had on the pitch, Murray poured his heart into an engaging and emotional post-match interview.
“I play with a lot of heart, I play with a lot of passion,” Murray said, reflecting later on the post-match interview that made him cry. “When you fight for something, it means so much more. We have been fighting this battle for a long time and we are tired of being tired. As I said, I go out and fight for something.
“… It’s an exciting day because, it’s not just me,” he said. “There are so many other guys, as you can see. They are lives. It’s your life. Imagine losing your life. I don’t know what else to say. Imagine a father losing his life while having children. Imagine a father, a son, a brother who are killed seven times in front of their children. Imagine that.”
Even though the win meant the Nuggets forced a game 7 for the third time in franchise history after trailing 3-1, Murray’s mind was elsewhere. In the immediate aftermath of the game, it didn’t seem to matter that the Nuggets would have a chance to become just the 12th team ever to return from a 3-1 deficit. The Nuggets have failed on both previous occasions.
“I’m running out of things and superlatives for Jamal Murray,” said Nuggets manager Michael Malone. “I just want to say I’m proud of him.”
Nikola Jokic added 22 points and nine assists, but it was Murray’s unconscious shot that gave the Nuggets confidence. Murray scored nine 3-pointers as part of the assault on Denver from beyond the arc.
Murray’s 50 points gave him 204 for six games, beating Jokic’s previous franchise record for most points scored in a playoff series. Jokic scored 190 goals in seven games against Portland last season.
Jazz superstar Donovan Mitchell finished with 44 points and nine three-pointers. The decisive game 7 is on Tuesday evening.
For weeks, Nuggets guard Gary Harris had rehabilitated the strained hip he had suffered a few days after his arrival in Orlando. Although they were in dire need of perimeter defenders, the Nuggets delayed his return to make sure he was confident when he made his bubble debut.
On Sunday, he gave the Nuggets a significant defensive boost after they were burned by Utah reserve Jordan Clarkson in the previous five games. It’s possible that the NBA’s three-day hiatus contributed to Denver’s luck.
“We know what Gary is capable of,” Malone said. “I am a firm believer in who Gary Harris is on both sides of the pitch.”
Harris helped keep the Jazz to 23 points in the third quarter, while Jerami Grant and Jokic took care of the scoring. Grant added 10 points and Jokic drained a clutch, aiming for 3 points to help keep the lead. At 88-79, the Nuggets had their first advantage heading into the fourth quarter all series. Murray’s shooting in the fourth quarter kept Utah at bay.
Sunday’s game, originally scheduled for last Thursday, came after days of turmoil and anguish. After the video of Jacob Blake’s Wisconsin filming was released, players across the NBA decided something to give. They no longer felt comfortable playing in a bubble, isolated from their families and the outside world.
The NBA took a momentary pause to reflect. When players returned after three emotionally exhausting days, they created a new coalition for social justice, renewed efforts to create access to the vote, and secured a commitment from league owners to help end skilled immunity. .
But after what Malone deemed the worst practice in his five years as a manager on Friday, they focused again ahead of Sunday’s elimination scenario.
“I got that sense yesterday,” Malone said before the game. “A return to normal after Wednesday, Thursday and Friday was so tiring off the pitch. It’s probably nice to get back to doing what we do so well.
“… You can’t replicate the emotions of, you’re in the middle of a playoff series, you’re coming out of a really good and exciting win in Game 5, and then suddenly someone pulls the plug and you’re waiting to play, you’re waiting to see what’s happening. “
Murray didn’t wait for the second half to catch fire as he did when he helped the Nuggets avoid elimination in Game 5. Instead, Murray cut the Utah defense with 25 points in the first half and led a 61- 56 in the first half.
His whiplash and daring takes instilled the kind of confidence that had been absent in the first half of their series.
The Nuggets, who were once down 10 in the first quarter, held the Jazz just 20 points in the second quarter highlighting the defensive impact Harris can have. It was their defense, after all, that saved their season when they were fixing a 3-1 deficit.
