After playing like a bonafide superstar in the 2023 NBA playoffs and helping the Denver Nuggets secure their only championship victory, Jamal Murray solidified himself as a superstar and one of the greatest playoff-risers. During the 2023-24 season, his production was solid. He averaged career-highs in field goal percentage, three-point percentage, and assists per game. He looked like the player that the Nuggets gave a max contract. This season, Murray is struggling. It is forcing Nikola Jokić to carry even more weight on his shoulders. The Nuggets need him to shake off his rust and be more consistent to become the threat they want to be in the tough Western Conference.
Jamal Murray’s Struggles are a Concern for Nuggets
Streaky Performances
On Friday, the Nuggets were without Jokić due to personal reasons. They were also without Aaron Gordon, who hurt his calf nearly two weeks ago. The short-handed New Orleans Pelicans outplayed Denver without their three-time MVP, winning 101-94. Without Jokić, the Nuggets’ offense changes, and they rely more on their two other top scorers, Murray and Michael Porter Jr. Since the Nuggets were without their offensive juggernaut in Jokić, they needed big performances from both to win. Porter Jr. had a solid performance, dropping 24 points on terrific shooting and continuing his consistent play. On the other hand, Murray struggled again. He shot under 40% for the fourth time this season, half the games he has played.
Murray has already suffered a concussion to open up the season and hasn’t found his groove. Despite his inconsistent offense, he makes a difference on the court. He has finished with a positive plus/minus in six contests this season. In his two other games, he is a combined minus-two. If Murray can return to his form a season ago, it will significantly open up the Nuggets’ offense. They are already seeing improved play from Porter Jr., and Jokić is amazingly outperforming his MVP seasons. If Murray can play like a fringe All-Star, it will take some of the weight off of Jokić, while giving Murray more confidence.
Must Play Up to Max Contract
The Nuggets rewarded Murray with another max contract this offseason. The contract is for four years at $208 million. It will kick in next season. Murray and Gordon received extensions this past offseason, which restricts the Nuggets significantly with the new collective bargaining agreement. The Nuggets will need Murray to live up to his contract to compete for a championship. They locked up their core, which has a championship pedigree. What they need is consistency from all four players. Murray has proven his worth, especially in the playoffs, but the Nuggets need him to prove it all season long.
Starting a season slow is understandable and can happen to any player. When those struggles continue well into the season, it raises eyebrows and calls for concern. Murray’s early season struggles might not last for long, but it is enough to where the Nuggets should be concerned. With injuries already disrupting the Nuggets, they can’t afford inconsistency from a max-contract player. Murray will need a string of solid performances to get into a groove and return to where he was during the 2023-24 regular season, where he set several career-highs.
