If shot attempts fall efficiently enough for the Denver Nuggets’ offense to produce a 146-point night, highlight watchers can be guaranteed that at some point, Jamal Murray sprinkled in a must-see sequence or five along the way. Beginning his eyebrow-raiser in the most “of course” way possible — a top-of-the-arc connection alongside his all-world center — Murray springs himself, somehow, into an even more chaotic situation with Toumani Camara and Donovan Clingan glued to his paint drive. Creative enough to create the picture-perfect finish anyways, Murray pirouettes into a 360-degree spin through the two, rainbowing in the and-one layup that brings his sidelined teammates to their feet. Only technical fouls would derail Murray’s progress on this night, as a few untimely whistles forced the Nuggets’ star to the locker room in the early fourth. Extraordinary in limited time, though, Murray overpowered the Portland Trail Blazers’ defense for a 17-point performance (on just 10 shot attempts), alongside two rebounds, eight assists, two steals, one 3-pointer, and a +22 plus-minus. · Feb 11, 2025