Jamal Murray's long-awaited return to full health was on full display as the Denver Nuggets pummeled the short-handed Dallas Mavericks 130-104 Monday night. The smooth-shooting guard, who missed 15 games this season with a hamstring strain and two sprained ankles, drained 4 for 4 from downtown and finished with 22 points, resembling his playoff-hero form.
"I'm feeling fine," Murray declared, acknowledging the team's ongoing struggles with finding rhythm due to injuries. "We're just trying to get all healthy and on the court at the same time."
Murray wasn't the only Denver star to shine. Aaron Gordon tied his season high with 21 points, while the bench sizzled, outscoring Dallas' reserves 62-34. Reggie Jackson led the charge with 18 points, showcasing the depth and versatility that proved crucial in the win.
Coach Michael Malone praised the bench's performance, highlighting their ability to "build good habits" and play the "right way." This proved evident in the decisive third quarter, where a 21-10 run by the Nuggets extinguished any remaining Dallas hopes.
Luka Doncic, despite battling illness, valiantly led the Mavericks with 38 points and 11 rebounds. However, he acknowledged the team's overall shortcomings: "They were playing great, everyone on their team. They were sharing the ball, getting open shots… they played a really good game."
The Nuggets' strategy was clear: push the pace. Their relentless fast-break attack resulted in a 32-11 advantage in fast-break points, leaving the Mavericks scrambling to keep up.
"We felt like we could get out and run, especially at home, at altitude," explained Murray, referencing his playoff averages of 26.1 points last season. "We did a good job of keeping them off-balance."
The Mavericks' woes were compounded by the absence of key players like Kyrie Irving, Josh Green, Maxi Kleber, and Dereck Lively II. Coach Jason Kidd bluntly summed up the situation: "When we can't score and we can't get stops, that's not a great recipe to win. We have to be better."
Tim Hardaway Jr. made two 3-pointers, surpassing his father Tim Hardaway Sr. on the NBA's career 3-pointers list, a bittersweet moment amidst the team's defeat.
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, returning after a two-game concussion protocol absence, played a crucial role in slowing down Doncic in the second half, limiting him to 3 of 8 shots after a hot first half.
The game also marked the first on-court reunion between Nikola Jokic and Markieff Morris since their infamous scuffle in 2021. Thankfully, the encounter remained uneventful, allowing the focus to remain on Murray's triumphant return and the Nuggets' dominant performance.
With Murray back in the groove and the bench contributing at a high level, the Denver Nuggets appear poised to reassert themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the Western Conference.
