![\"Denver](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/042826-dg-s-nuggets-14720.jpg\")
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) passes the ball in game 5 against the Timberwolves at Ball Arena on Monday, April 28, 2026. The Nuggets defeated the Timberwolves 125-113. (The Gazette, Jerilee Bennett)<\/p>\nMINNEAPOLIS \u2013 The biggest game of the Nuggets\u2019 season is another opportunity for Jamal Murray.<\/p>\n
After the best regular season of his 10-year career, Murray has had his fair share of struggles to start another playoff series against the Timberwolves. There\u2019s the 37.5% shooting from the field and a 27.5% mark from 3-point range. He\u2019s committed four turnovers in two of the first five games and struggled in the clutch, where success has been synonymous with his name. Murray went 5 for 14 in the second half of a Game 4, while Minnesota completed a comeback to take a 3-1 lead. He went 3 for 11 after halftime in Denver\u2019s Game 2 loss that ceded home-court advantage.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis team in particular has a lot of guys that can stay attached to him. I think he\u2019s been consistent with his attitude,\u201d Nuggets coach David Adelman said after a light practice Wednesday at Target Center.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen things go poorly, like the second half of Game 4, the turnovers, all that kind of thing, Jamal the next day is the same person he\u2019s been the whole season. I do think that\u2019s key.\u201d<\/p>\n
There\u2019s not much panic despite the uncharacteristic playoff performance.<\/p>\n
\u201cNot much to overthink \u2013 go out there, play hard, try to have some joy doing it and try to get the job done. We have to have a good start \u2013 no turnovers, match physicality,\u201d Murray said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think the first quarter is going to be super important for us.\u201d<\/p>\n
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) passes the ball in game 5 against the Timberwolves at Ball Arena on Monday, April 28, 2026. The Nuggets defeated the Timberwolves 125-113. (The Gazette, Jerilee Bennett)<\/p>\n
While scoring efficiency has been subpar by Murray\u2019s lofty postseason standards, there have been other positives. He\u2019s grabbed five or more rebounds in the three of the five games and dished out seven assists in Games 1, 2 and 5.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen you go through really hard times, and the world around you is freaking out, you have to stay consistent. He has done that,\u201d Adelman said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhether he makes shots or misses shots, if he\u2019s playing in space that leads to rotations for them. That leads to pocket (passes) for Nikola Jokic. That leads to Cam Johnson finding wide-open shots from 3. \u2026 Jamal just has to stay consistent and not worry about his numbers. It\u2019s the gravity he brings.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jaden McDaniels, beloved in Minnesota and public enemy No. 1 in Denver, has again spent most of his time on the defensive end following Murray all across the court. Murray\u2019s four steals in Game 5 helped Denver create some easy offense in transition, though he lamented a couple of turnovers on the break. When asked if the Nuggets need to be more cautious in transition to prevent getting into a track meet with the Timberwolves on their home court on Thursday while facing elimination, Murray didn\u2019t flinch.<\/p>\n
\u201c<\/strong>We\u2019re down 3-2. (There\u2019s) no conservative,\u201d Murray said.<\/p>\n \u201cLet it rip.\u201d<\/p>\n
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