Jamal Murray joked after breaking up a game against the Pistons at the FT line
The Denver Nuggets continued their success without Nikola Jokic, defeating the Brooklyn Nets, 107-103, at Ball Arena on Thursday. Victory is spoiled Michael Porter Jr.’s first return to Denver since being traded to Brooklyn in the offseason.
It was a see-saw affair in the fourth quarter as the two teams traded leads. The Nets cut the lead to two, 105-103, with just 4.4 seconds left after Terrence Mann sank three free throws after being fouled outside the arc.
The Nets intentionally fouled Jonas Valanciunas. The veteran center, however, drained both free throws to seal the victory for the Nuggets.
Jamal Murraywho cost the Nuggets games at the free-throw line in Tuesday’s 109-107 loss to the Detroit Pistons, had a perfect reaction to their victory.
“From now on, we’re just going to have him (Valanciunas) shoot (free throws) for me,” Murray said, as quoted by Bennett Durando of the Denver Post.
Murray had a chance to win the game for Denver against Detroit or send it to overtime after he was also fouled from the three-point line with just 0.7 seconds left. He sank the first shot, but missed the second attempt. He intentionally raised the third charity, but the Nuggets couldn’t add it.
Murray, who is having another stellar campaignhas a career clip of 87.1% from the free throw line.
With the win over the Nets, the Nuggets improved to 32-16, including 13-9 at home.
Murray had a game-high 27 points, four rebounds, six assists and two steals. He had 7 out of 7 from the charity stripe.
Denver will host the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday.
2026-01-30 05:34:00
