‘Damaged goods’ Jamal Murray expected ACL injury to END Nuggets career

Jamal Murray believed his time with the Nuggets was over after suffering an ACL tear in 2021.

‘Damaged goods’ Jamal Murray expected ACL injury to END Nuggets career

Jamal Murray (Credits: Denver Post via Getty Images)

Jamal Murray is the new sheriff in the town. As he has successfully led the Denver Nuggets to the Western Conference Finals and now they are just a win away from making it to the 2023 NBA Finals. As the duo of Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic has carried the Denver Nuggets to a 3-0 lead against the LeBron James-led Los Angeles Lakers.

Game 3 at Crypto.com Arena was a rollercoaster but the Denver Nuggets were enjoying the ride as they had the lead maintained. The Los Angeles Lakers had several runs throughout the game but unfortunately, were never able to finish the job. They were down 2 points heading into the fourth quarter and went on to lose the game at 108-119. Jamal Murray balled out for his team dropping a 30-point bomb in the first half itself.

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Nikola Jokic also showed up in the clutch, dropping 15 points in the last quarter. LeBron James dropped 23 points, 12 assists and 7 rebounds while Anthony Davis got 28 points and 18 boards. But none of those were enough against Jamal Murray who dropped 37 points, 6 assists and 7 rebounds. He was backed up by Nikola Jokic who contributed with 24 points, 8 assists and 6 rebounds.

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Jamal Murray is the real hero of the series. And, he would have never imagined it happening after going down with an ACL injury on April 12, 2021, against the Golden State Warriors. That injury had him out for 555 days. He missed the entire 2021-22 season and even 10 playoff games and several matches of the 2021 season. Jamal Murray even imagined his career at the Nuggets ending and him getting traded away after the injury.

But the franchise and Head Coach, Michael Malone had no such plans and were ready to wait for their guard to heal. As after Jamal Murray’s dominating Game 3 performance against the Lakers in Western Conference Finals, HC Michael Malone revealed a heart-touching story.

Michael Malone reflecting upon the time when Jamal Murray believed he’s damaged goods and will soon be shipped around, quoted: “I remember being in the bus with him … and he had tears in his eyes, and that was the message. ‘Hey man, you’re gonna come back from this. And not only are you going to come back, you’re going to be better.’… He first of all was, ‘You guys are gonna trade me… I am damaged goods, you guys are gonna trade me now.’ I hugged him and said, ‘Hell no, you’re ours. We love you, we’re going to help you get back, and you’re going to be a better player for it.”

Related: Jamal Murray CLAPS BACK with strong message, asks fans to put some respect on his name

Can Jamal Murray lead the Denver Nuggets to the 2023 NBA Finals?

Jamal Murray (Credits: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports)
Jamal Murray (Credits: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports)

The franchise believed in Jamal Murray and now he’s returning the favor. As they are just a win away from the 2023 NBA Finals. And, have a great chance of sweeping the Los Angeles Lakers out of the playoff contention. And, Jamal Murray gets all the credit for these achievements as he’s been balling out throughout the postseason averaging: 27.9 points, 5.6 rebounds, 6.2 assists, 1.2 steals, and 0.3 blocks per game. And, against the Los Angeles Lakers, these numbers are just better.

But the job’s not done yet and the Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic-led Denver Nuggets are facing the LeBron James-led Los Angeles Lakers. King James has made several comebacks in his career and he’s hunting for his fifth title, so he’s trying to make history and coming back from a 0-3 deficit in WCF is very possible.

Also, throughout the three games played the Lakers have improved on their mistakes and now have to do a better job finishing the game as they are in a do-or-die situation. Game 4 is going to be probably the most interesting and worth-watching game of the season. It is scheduled for Monday, May 22, at Crypto.com Arena, 5:30 p.m. MST.

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