Jamal Murray didn’t have much to say after the Denver Nuggets failed to close out the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 6, falling 111-105 at Intuit Dome on Thursday night.
The All-Star guard finished with 21 points and eight assists but missed key shots down the stretch as the Nuggets squandered a 3-2 series lead and now face a Game 7 on Saturday.
“I’m just not in the mood right now, bro,” Murray said postgame when asked about his playoff scoring history. “We lost. We got to go take care of business at Game 7.”
Denver was outscored 32-22 in the third quarter, a stretch Murray described with one word: “Unorganized.”
The Clippers capitalized behind James Harden’s 28 points and eight assists, while Kawhi Leonard added 27 and 10 rebounds in a must-win showing.
Norman Powell came off the bench for 24 points, hitting a decisive three-pointer with under two minutes to play to seal the win.
Despite Denver shooting a solid 52.4% from the field, they were undone by turnovers and a lack of hustle plays, areas that Murray openly admitted swung the game.
“They were quicker to the punch,” Murray said. “Those 50/50s turn into threes. Those turnovers turn into and-ones or layups.”
Nikola Jokic posted 25 points, eight assists and seven rebounds, but was held to just five points after halftime as Ivica Zubac and Nicolas Batum led a disciplined defensive effort.
Murray credited Batum’s impact when asked about the veteran’s second-half start. “He just adds a lot of shooting, spacing, and IQ,” he said. “He can impact any game.”
Clippers head coach Tyronn Lue’s lineup adjustment—benching Kris Dunn for Batum—helped stall Jokic’s rhythm and bolstered Los Angeles’ perimeter defense.
The Nuggets trimmed a 15-point deficit down to four in the final minutes but failed to execute down the stretch, allowing LA to survive with timely stops.
Coach David Adelman pointed to Denver’s failure in the turnover and 50/50 ball battle as the primary reason for the defeat.
Murray agreed, saying the Nuggets lacked the necessary desperation on both ends. “Everybody’s got to bring it emotionally, mentally, physically, spiritually,” he said when asked about the approach to Game 7.
Saturday’s matchup at Ball Arena marks Denver’s first Game 7 since last postseason, and Murray emphasized the need to stay loose and aggressive in front of the home crowd.
“It’s going to be a different team and a different series,” Murray said. “If we come out with intent and play for each other, we’ll get the job done.”
The winner will move on to face the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Semifinals.
