Nuggets' Jamal Murray answers his critics with a big night

Murray made five three-pointers and dished six assists in a 27-point performance that led the Denver Nuggets to a 122-110 NBA Cup win over the Memphis Grizzlies. He scored eight points in a minute during the fourth quarter in an explosion that effectively ended the game.

The Nuggets have struggled without MVP Nikola Jokic, who has missed the team’s last three games for the birth of his child. They lost the previous two, with Murray putting up just 29 points and shooting 3-for-14 from distance.

Not having Jokic is a huge loss, especially with forward Aaron Gordon out, but Murray is supposed to be Robin to the Joker’s Batman. But after signing a max extension before the season, Murray hasn’t been living up to expectations. He also made a questionable decision to fly to New York for the UFC event on a Nuggets off day last weekend.

After flying from New Orleans to NYC and back to Memphis, Murray put up a stinker the next night. He scored 13 points on 15 shots and turned the ball over six times. For the rematch Tuesday, which was part of the NBA Cup despite the same teams playing two nights earlier, Murray refused to tap out.

Part of Murray’s problem is that he’s traditionally been a slow starter. For his career, he’s a 30.8% shooter in October, while he’s at 40.4% from the field in October and only 43% in November. But when his team is short handed and Murray is going out of town on off days, his normal slow start begins to look like he’s letting down his team.

For Nuggets fans, Tuesday night was a welcome return to form for Murray. And they can take heart that historically, his scoring takes off in December.