Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray. Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

Jamal Murray questions Nuggets' commitment

By Adam Taylor | Last updated Nov 26, 2024 5:56 AM ET

It's uncharacteristic for the Denver Nuggets to get taken to the cleaners. Yet, that's exactly what happened on Monday when the New York Knicks swept the former champions aside in a 145-118 blowout.

To the Knicks' credit, their offense has been devastating over the past few weeks. They're second in the NBA for offensive rating, averaging 120.9 points per 100 possessions. Unfortunately for Mike Malone's team, it wasn't prepared for the onslaught it inevitably faced.

During his postgame news conference, Jamal Murray questioned how much some of his teammates wanted the win. He admitted the Nuggets deserved their mauling.

"They came focused," Murray said. "They came prepared. They shot the lights out...I just think that they played harder. We didn't bring the energy that we need to bring, especially at home...It's how much you want it. It's how much you care. We didn't have that tonight...Guys have lives outside of basketball; we just beat LA–some guys live in LA so stayed in LA...If everybody picks up their energy and effort, we're good...We got punched in the face, and there was no response."

Wins like this are what the Knicks envisioned when trading for Mikal Bridges and Karl-Anthony Towns this past offseason. Tom Thibodeau's team now has the firepower to stand toe-to-toe with any roster in the NBA. The way the Knicks are executing right now should have opposing teams worried.

"I hope for all the Thibs haters out there who say he doesn't coach offense, just to really appreciate their team," Nuggets head coach Mike Malone said. "Because, offensively they're elite. I think in almost offensive category, they're top five."

New York expected a strong season, and while there have been some bumps along the way, things are certainly starting to look up. The key for the Knicks will be figuring out their defensive coverages and rediscovering their identity as a defense-first unit.

If Thibodeau can find a balance between elite offense and stifling defense, these Knicks are going to be a problem for the rest of the league.

Adam Taylor

Adam Taylor is a sports journalist based out of the UK. Adam has been covering the NBA for nearly a decade with a core focus on the Boston Celtics. He currently holds bylines with Yardbarker, SB Nation and USA Today

More must-reads: