Jamal Murray took responsibility for Denver’s 109-107 loss to the Detroit Pistons on Tuesday, calling his late-game free throws “an opportunity… I just got to be better.”
“This wasn’t my night… I didn’t play well today. Stats say otherwise, but I didn’t feel like I had a major impact on the game,” Murray said, reflecting on a performance that included 24 points and 10 assists.
Murray highlighted the Pistons’ physical play but stressed it did not prevent the Nuggets from executing. “They play physical but it doesn’t stop us from getting to open shots… we just didn’t make enough shots today,” he said.
He credited Jonas Valanciunas for influencing the Pistons’ defensive strategy. “He gives us size… the other team has to game plan for us. They can’t just switch everything and double me,” Murray noted, praising Valanciunas’ presence on the boards.
Murray also praised Cade Cunningham’s control of the game. “Doesn’t get rushed… he just controlled the tempo, got everybody involved… a tough cover for any team in the league,” he said, acknowledging the Pistons’ ability to dictate pace.
Regarding the free throws at the end, Murray explained, “I literally practiced both those shots… the first one, he took my leg out, so I thought it was a foul. The second one was kind of like a slight push.”
Murray described the challenges of the Nuggets’ recent travel. “We didn’t move, then came back into Denver and faced a really good team in altitude… it felt like we were a step behind,” he said, reflecting on being stranded in Memphis due to the winter storm.
He also emphasized moments of resilience late in the fourth quarter. “From the four-minute mark of the fourth quarter up until the free throws… I got to do something… sometimes you just have to put the ball in the hoop,” Murray said.
Murray credited teammates for helping claw back. “Bruce really helped us out… Zeke and Spencer as well. Came down free throws,” he said, noting their contributions despite the loss.
