Jamal Murray and the Denver Nuggets took a crucial 2-1 series lead in their Western Conference semifinal against the Oklahoma City Thunder with a 113-104 overtime victory on Friday night. After the game, Murray shared his thoughts on the team’s performance and what it takes to deliver in clutch moments.
When asked about his individual contributions in the win, Murray credited the team’s communication and collective effort. “It takes everybody,” Murray said. “We did a good job of just being on a string… communicating throughout the game. Even when we didn’t execute perfectly, we made up for it.”
Murray also praised teammate Aaron Gordon for his continued clutch performances. Gordon, who scored 22 points and grabbed eight rebounds, was key in Denver’s victory. Murray pointed out Gordon’s readiness for the moment, noting, “I told him he’s like seven for seven under three seconds in the game. He’s always ready because he’s put the work in.”
The Nuggets faced a tough Thunder defense, and Murray’s mentality was to stay aggressive. He emphasized the importance of being proactive on offense to counteract physical play. “You just got to be aggressive back on offense and force them to make a decision,” Murray said. “It’s going to take making tough shots… and hitting open men.”
Murray’s reflections extended to the broader team mindset. He highlighted the importance of sticking together, holding each other accountable, and being ready for any role within the squad. “Just that kind of mindset and everybody kind of being together—that can carry the way for things to come,” Murray explained.
In a series of tightly contested games, Murray recognized the similarities between this matchup and past playoff series. He said, “Tonight just laid up for last game, and we got to go and win Game 4 now. There’s a lot of work to be done.”
Murray also made a spectacular shot in the third quarter, flipping the ball over his head while facing away from the basket. Reflecting on the play, Murray humbly stated, “I’ve been doing stuff like that my whole life.” He also acknowledged a missed shot later in the game, emphasizing the unpredictability of such moments.
When discussing physicality, Murray shared how his mindset evolved throughout the series. “It’s more just being the aggressor,” he said. “You can’t always put it on the refs to call something. Just play through it.”
Finally, Murray spoke about Michael Porter Jr.’s performance despite dealing with a shoulder injury. “It’s just a testament to his resilience and his love for the game,” Murray said. “He’s playing through a lot, and people don’t understand how much he’s dealt with.”
