Denver Nuggets: 2017-18 player grades for Jamal Murray
Highlights
Jamal Murray got off to a slow start to begin the 2017-18 for the Denver Nuggets. He finished scoring in double digits in just one of the first five games for the Nuggets. He didn’t register his first 20-point game until game No. 6 of the regular season, turning in three straight 20+ point performances.
Murray put up 26 points and five assists against the Brooklyn Nets on Oct. 29, working his way out of a shooting slump. Entering the game, Murray was shooting 17-of-59 (28.8 percent) from the floor.
He went 8-for-13 in getting out of his shooting slump to start the regular season. He went 2-for-3 from 3-point range after missing his last 16 attempts.
After his 26-point outing, Murray put up 20 points and 24 points, respectively, in the Nuggets’ next two contests. He reverted back to single-digit scoring for another chunk of games, although Denver would go on a 3-1 record without his point production.
Murray bounced back with a 32-point outing against the Orlando Magic on Nov. 11. He nailed a career-high six 3-pointers as the Nuggets took home the 125-107 victory. Overall, he shot 12-of-21 (57.1 percent) from the field and 6-of-9 from 3-point land. He also had four rebounds and an assist.
The second-year guard put up seven 30-point games during the 2017-18 season. His next 30-point outing came shortly after his performance against the Magic. He scored 31 points on 13-of-18 shooting (72.2 percent) against the New Orleans Pelicans in a 146-114 runaway victory on Nov. 17.
The Denver Nuggets put up a season-high 146 points as a team in the contest, albeit against a team that made it to the postseason. The team definitely showed flashes of its potential as a playoff team, but things got tight at the end of the regular season.
Murray put up his only double-double of the regular season against the Boston Celtics on Dec. 13. Unfortunately, the Nuggets fell 124-118, but it wasn’t without a solid outing from Jamal Murray. He poured in 28 points along with 11 rebounds, four assists and three steals.
The Nuggets fell in the end, but Murray made his presence felt, shooting 9-of-17 (52.9 percent) from the field and 4-of-8 from 3-point range.
Interestingly enough, Denver was 4-3 when Jamal Murray put up 30 points or more. He set a new career-high in points in a game this past season, but it wasn’t without its own growing pains. On Jan. 22, Murray put up 38 points on 14-of-19 (73.7 percent) shooting along with six assists and five rebounds.
He showed off his efficiency from all over the court as he went 4-of-6 (66.7 percent) from 3-point range. His efficiency was much-needed as his performance gave Denver a 104-101 victory.
As the season came to a close, Murray seemed to have things figured out from an efficiency standpoint. He didn’t conclude the season with any more 30-point outbursts but his 19-point performance in a decisive game against the Los Angeles Clippers turned heads. Murray put up 19 points, seven assists and three rebounds in a 134-115 victory back on April 7.
The Nuggets didn’t make the postseason, but if Murray can pick up where he left off, they should be in good shape to snag a spot.