Jamal Murray has already done what every NBA player has dreamed of doing since they fell in love with the sport — win a championship. He and the Denver Nuggets are chasing another, too. When it comes to individual accolades, though, there's one significant thing that Murray is missing, but that could change this season, based on how he's looked thus far.
Murray is notorious for getting off to slow starts. It's why he's never been named an All-Star. He does his best work during the playoffs, which is, of course, what matters most, but Murray is capable of being that kind of player year-round. He just hasn't shown it yet.
If the Nuggets' preseason win over the Bulls on Tuesday was any indication, it's that 2025-26 could be the end of Murray's slow starts. He dropped 30 points, which isn't a wild feat for Murray, but the fact it happened at this point in the season further proves what fans have heard since media day — that Murray is in great shape, physically and mentally.
Jamal Murray is in great shape entering the Nuggets' season
Murray didn't spend the offseason rehabbing from injury, which is a positive in itself. He dealt with a calf strain during the 2024 playoffs, which contributed to him not looking like himself. At the end of an 82-game season (plus the postseason), you're not 100 percent and your body is tired, but you have a leg up if you're not dealing with some significant injury.
After the offseason that the Nuggets had retooling their roster, it's great to know that Murray is ready to go. He trained with his new teammates over the summer. At media day, he was all business, which is typical for Jamal, but it was evident that he's in a good space.
When it comes to Nikola Jokić, you don't have to guess about what kind of player he's going to be on any given night, although even he isn't perfect and does have the occasional off night. When it comes to Murray, everyone knows the kind of player he is, but it typically takes him a few weeks to reach that level. That doesn't seem to be the case with the start of the regular season around the corner.
In case you didn't already know, Denver is scary as is, but having this version of Jamal Murray in October? Good luck!