The Denver Nuggets are in a precarious situation. On one hand, they have the best player in the league, the 3x reigning MVP, Nikola Jokic, carrying their roster with another MVP-caliber season. However, the rest of their roster has severely underperformed so far this season.
The prime culprit is Jokic’s co-star Jamal Murray, who has come under scrutiny once again. The Denver Nuggets traveled to New Orleans to take on the Pelicans on Friday for their first NBA Cup game.
The team would end up falling 101-94 in the absence of Nikola Jokic, who was out due to personal reasons. However, controversy arose when Jamal Murray was spotted in New York City the next day, in attendance for UFC 309 with MMA star Kamaru Usman.
Jamal Murray 🤝 Kamaru Usman
Just a friendly exchange between two champions 🏆 #UFC309 pic.twitter.com/rOiflCIQf6
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) November 17, 2024
The Denver Nuggets take on the Memphis Grizzlies in Tennessee on Sunday. Following a disappointing outing against the Pelicans in New Orleans, Murray made the journey to New York to show up for UFC 309. The Nuggets star will immediately fly back to Tennessee following the event, creating an extremely hectic schedule for an NBA star already riddled with a heavy workload.
Murray finished the game on Friday with just 16 points in almost 43 minutes of game time. Although he did have 8 assists, the Nuggets needed much more from their dynamic star, who signed a 4-year $208 million maximum contract extension this summer even after struggling during the Paris Olympics.
Fans lash out at Jamal Murray after worrying appearance in UFC 309
Jamal Murray’s performances this season have been far from praiseworthy. After another dud against the Pelicans, Nuggets and NBA fans alike expressed their concerns about Murray’s decision to travel to New York.
With a game in Tennessee the next day, fans were worried about the hectic travel and workload that the Nuggets star would take on amidst his on-court struggles. Here are some of the fan reactions to the same:
I love Jamal man, but this is such a horrible look.
You had an AWFUL game in New Orleans, you play tomorrow night in Memphis, and knowing you have a majority of the fanbase on your neck, you’re in New York for a UFC fight.
You’re becoming REAL hard to defend on this brother. https://t.co/VYdtZajXuB
— Nicholas (Astray) (@Sikund_Veltin) November 17, 2024
Following a horrible start to a road trip on which you have to be the team’s best player you took a flight from New Orleans to New York and need to fly back to Memphis by tomorrow for a basketball game
Jamal Murray’s priorities are not basketball right now. https://t.co/istmfvhALY
— Normie (@EpicNormie__) November 17, 2024
The Nuggets play in Memphis tomorrow at 6 and this fight is in New York
They just played in New Orleans yesterday
???????? https://t.co/2SNfdoJr80
— 🤬 (@JOKERMVP15) November 17, 2024
WHAT IS THIS NIGGA DOING BRO WE GOT A GAME TOMORROW https://t.co/O7o6bzgC4S
— 🏔️ (@hunterunlocked) November 17, 2024
bro is literally anywhere but the gym✌🏼
— 🕷️🕸️ (@CanadianMal_27) November 17, 2024
Mmmm….no what I’m not even going to say anything, do you bro. Better be sharp tomorrow night..
— NUGGETS SZN (@Nugscentral) November 17, 2024
Heading into Memphis for an early game on Sunday, Murray will be under extreme scrutiny from fans. He has averaged 17.9 points, 5.3 assists, and 4.1 rebounds in 8 games this season so far while shooting under 40% from the field.
These are dreadful numbers for a player who was supposed to be the primary scoring threat next to Nikola Jokic’s dynamic playmaking. Jokic’s status for the game against the Grizzlies is still questionable, as he has been out for personal reasons.
