Jamal Murray remains central to the Denver Nuggets' offense in their playoff series against the Los Angeles Clippers, but opponents continue to target him defensively. The series is tied 2-2.
While Nikola Jokic has drawn praise for his play, Murray's ability to dribble, shoot, and create offense is a factor for the Nuggets. The team's offense struggles significantly when Murray is off the court.
Offensive rating figures illustrate this point. In the regular season, the Nuggets averaged 118.9. That number falls in the playoffs. When Murray sits, the team's offensive rating drops to 49.1. The Wizards had the worst offensive rating in the NBA in the regular season at 105.8.
Murray's offensive workload and an ankle injury contribute to struggles on the defensive end. Opponents frequently seek him out in matchups.
Clippers players including Kawhi Leonard, James Harden, and Norman Powell have targeted Murray. He has had difficulty preventing opponents from getting past him.
The Nuggets have attempted to place Murray defensively on opponents like Kris Dunn. However, the Clippers adjusted in Game 4, leading to a run for Los Angeles.
Murray's presence is necessary for the team's offensive production. Taking him off the court is not a practical option.
With other players like Michael Porter Jr. and Jokic on the court, the team faces challenges fielding enough strong defenders to compensate for defensive issues.
A specific game on April 26, 2025 saw Jamal Murray score 13 points and record 7 assists in a 101-99 victory over the Clippers. He played 42 minutes, added 7 rebounds, and posted a field goal percentage of 29.4%.
Murray has now posted four or more assists in four consecutive postseason games.
The challenge for the Nuggets lies in managing Murray's defensive limitations while maximizing his offensive impact throughout the series.
