Jamal Murray offered a candid and emotional assessment after the Denver Nuggets’ 125-93 Game 7 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder on Sunday night.
Speaking to reporters postgame, Murray described the defeat as “frustrating” and emphasized how offensive miscues derailed the defending champions’ chances of advancing.
“We just didn’t bring our best tonight,” Murray said. “Turnovers, spacing — two guys trying to do the same thing or just on top of each other.”
The Nuggets were outscored by 19 points in the second quarter and never recovered, shooting just 39.3% from the field while committing 22 turnovers.
Murray, who finished with 13 points on 1-of-8 shooting from deep, said Oklahoma City’s defense disrupted Denver’s flow all night.
“They pack the paint,” he explained. “We got to allow each other to have space to do whatever the hell we’re trying to do or create on offense.”
Despite the blowout loss, Murray acknowledged the adversity the team faced late in the season and praised interim head coach David Adelman.
“Considering everything, I think he did a great job,” Murray said. “We stayed together, tried different schemes — just staying with it, keeping a positive attitude.”
Aaron Gordon, who played through a grade two hamstring strain, also earned Murray’s admiration.
“He gave us more than I think we all could ask for,” Murray said. “His toughness — his mental toughness — to be able to play through that and give us what he did, it was a lot.”
Reflecting on the Nuggets’ season turnaround, Murray expressed pride in how the group responded after a turbulent stretch that included front office changes.
“We stayed with it. We had to figure it out, call some audibles,” he said. “I’m proud of the belief that we had, the positivity that we had.”
Asked about the Thunder’s performance, Murray described the seven-game series as a battle against a “young, talented group.”
“Playing seven games against them just felt like playing AAU,” Murray said. “They’re young, athletic, flying around. Their best quality is how physical they are defensively.”
Despite the early exit, Murray said he maintains full confidence in Denver’s core.
“100%. Just came up short tonight,” he said. “Get back in the gym and get back to it for next year.”
When asked about the possibility of more changes in the offseason, Murray deferred.
“That’s above my pay grade,” he said. “I just do what I have to do out there and focus on that.”
Murray closed by emphasizing how much the team overcame during the regular season and playoffs.
“We believed we could do it,” he said. “Even when people doubted us, we bounced back and showed them what we were capable of.”
