2 min read • May 31, 2023
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It’s been nearly 800 days since Jamal Murray’s torn left knee ACL derailed the Denver Nuggets’ NBA Finals hopes in April 2021.
Now, Murray’s stellar play in the postseason – combined with the Nuggets’ many other talents – have the team on the brink of their first championship in franchise history.
The 26-year-old Canadian has had a long road back to 100% health, but is now taking full advantage of two healthy knees.
In 15 games thus far this postseason, Murray is averaging 27.7 points, 6.1 assists and 5.5 rebounds on 48% shooting from the field and 39.8% from 3-point range.
He has been candid about how far fetched that seemed after his ACL tear.
“When you’re hurt, you’re in the unknown. You don’t know what’s going to happen, if you’ll recover or what the results are going to be,” Murray told Men’s Health in January. “I was very fearful of the unknown before, but now I embrace it.”
After his ACL tear, Murray was unsure of his standing with the Nuggets, according to head coach Mike Malone.
“(Murray’s) first thought was, ‘Man are you guys going to trade me? I’m damaged goods,’” Malone told reporters after taking a 3-0 lead in the Western Conference Finals against the Lakers. “I 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.’”
As with ACL tears in football, the second year back from a torn ACL is when a player truly begins to look like their pre-injury self.
That was the case with New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley and has been true for Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. as well.
Murray missed the entire 2021-22 season and the Nuggets got bounced in the first round by the eventual champion – the Golden State Warriors.
Two months after he tore his ACL in April 2021 Denver was swept by the Phoenix Suns, ending their title hopes.
The team made a deep run in 2020, but lost to LeBron James and the Lakers in the bubble.
This season, Murray averaged 20 points, 6.2 assists and 4 rebounds in 65 games, but has taken his game to new heights in the playoffs.
Now with health on their side, the Nuggets are the favorites to win the NBA Finals at -500, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
The Nuggets are favored by 9 points at home in Game 1 and the over/under is 219.5.
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