For so long, Nikola Jokic has been the most productive and consistent player on the Denver Nuggets and even the NBA at large. There’s been no more consistent metronome in the regular season than Joker over the last decade.
A slow start to the season opened up some doors in that conversation though, and while Jokic continues to take steps back toward being an efficiency monster, there’s another monster in the building for the Nuggets to carry the torch for now.
Jamal Murray has been playing out of his mind to start the season. It’s only 10 games, but I’ve watched basically every minute of Murray’s career in a Nuggets uniform.
This version of Murray might be the best of them all.
In previous years, Murray was a more explosive athlete, allowing him to reach incredible heights as a scorer in the Bubble. A torn ACL just about nine months later robbed Murray and the Nuggets of two additional playoff runs of Murray bringing that dynamic explosiveness, and there are many what-ifs involving Denver’s championship opportunities if that doesn’t happen.
Upon his return, Murray took some time to get back but rediscovered his mojo just in time for the Nuggets to win a championship in 2023. Along the way, Murray dismantled the Los Angeles Lakers in an epic scoring display, then professionally disassembled the Miami Heat as a true dual threat point guard.
Then, over the last three years, Murray has had highs and lows. Injuries ruined his 2024 playoff run, and a flawed team running into a juggernaut Oklahoma City squad ruined the 2025 year. 2026 was different though, with Murray becoming an All-Star and All-NBA player for the first time in the regular season. His highs in previous playoff runs are almost dismissive of a regular season award like those, but that showed Murray’s attention to detail and consistency from Game 1 of the season.
Unfortunately, the playoffs went the opposite direction, and it left a sour taste for players, coaches, executives, and fans everywhere as a result. Murray’s efficiency numbers dipped to hazardous levels, and the way the year finished seemingly undercut the brilliant season Murray had.
Fast forward to this season, and it appears Murray has responded to the low point in the best way he could: control what he can control and play better. And he has. My, oh my, he certainly has.
On the season so far, Murray’s averaging a career high 26.2 points and career high 5.0 rebounds to go with 5.9 assists per game. That scoring total is buoyed by incredible three-point efficiency, with Murray shooting a standard 50.5% from two-point range to go with a preposterous 51.3% from three-point range on a career-high 7.8 three-pointers per game.
Those numbers include an opening night stinker against the Oklahoma City Thunder in which Murray had just 6 points and 3 assists while attempting a single three-pointer. Removing that first night as an outlier, Murray’s other nine games are that much more impressive number wise. In five of the nine games, Murray has scored 30+ points.
What stands out beyond the offensive prowess in these games is the defensive effort and execution. Murray hasn’t been known as a defender in his career, and last season was a bad one for him defensively. He called out Denver’s defense on Media Day and has absolutely led by example there, chasing around perimeter shooters, battling inside, drawing offensive fouls, getting more involved on the glass, and more.
The Nuggets are posting a 114.1 defensive rating with Murray on the floor and a 122.8 defensive rating when Murray sits, per DataBallr. He isn’t the sole reason for that improvement, but Murray stands out as one of the major catalysts for Denver’s improved defensive performances. Last season, the Nuggets had a 119.7 defensive rating with Murray on the floor, so there’s been a marked improvement in team defense so far.
I brought up Murray’s past years and his athleticism earlier to frame this conversation in a specific way: Murray’s an athletic guy, but he’s no longer a plus athlete at the NBA level. As a result, he’s had to find improvement in other ways on both ends of the floor.
The two areas where Murray is currently maxed out: effort level, and technical skill. Murray continues to battle out there on both ends of the floor, fighting through contact, keeping the movement level high, moving his feet rather than reaching with his arms defensively, etc. It’s been really impressive to watch him recommit in that manner, especially defensively.
Offensively, he’s a savant. Murray’s a fan of combat sports like UFC and has a close relationship with Alexander Volkanovski, two-time featherweight champion. In UFC, it’s clear that leverage, setups, and counter moves are at the heart of outclassing an opponent and keeping them on their heels. Murray does the same thing to opposing defenses, using stepbacks, hesitations, wrong-foot finishes, and much more to create the air space necessary to get good, clean shots.
Those are things he used to be able to do consistently by just flying through the air, sprinting to a spot and stopping on a dime, using elite burst. Now, he’s elevated his game beyond athleticism into artistry, seeing the floor and the moves/countermoves necessary to be the best version of himself.
It’s only 10 games, but Murray has been everything the Nuggets could’ve asked for and more. In many ways, he’s now suffering from some of the same problems Jokic has had in the past where the consistency around him just hasn’t been there from night to night. While everyone else figures out how to navigate the 2026-27 season though, Murray has hit the ground running in the best way possible.
How long will it last? Who knows? It’s important to enjoy the ride though and simply appreciate greatness while it’s here.
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