2 Studs & 3 Duds from Timberwolves massive game 6 win over Nuggets

Dud #1: Jamal Murray

Murray’s play has been up and down at best these playoffs but this was a new low. He was hounded all night and his calf injury didn’t allow him to get any separation off the dribble or any lift on his jump shot. He finished with just 10 points and shot 4/18 on the night with most of those makes coming once the game had been long decided.

He wasn’t able to punish or pressure the defense in any meaningful way and was basically just relying on trying to shoot his way into the game. The Wolves through McDaniels and Ant at Murray and they hounded him all over the court. 

It looked a lot like Game 2 which was another dominant victory for the Wolves. Murray is very clearly hobbled, but he and Michael Malone are going to have to find a way for him to have some level of impact on the game or the Nuggets are in big trouble.

If the Nuggets can’t rely on Murray for secondary offense behind Jokic, they are going to have to find other ways to create and score points. Beyond his offensive struggles, the Wolves were able to target him defensively. There is at least an extra day off before Game 7 on Sunday and Murray is going to need every possible second of rest.