5 reasons Nuggets should be panicking after nightmare game 2 loss to Timberwolves

Reason #3: Jamal Murray has been a nonfactor

Beyond the struggles of Jokic, Jamal Murray just looks completely out of sorts. He’s been dealing with a calf injury, and ankle and knee injuries before that. He’s been limping and hobbling around at various times.

But he was able to come through in game five against the Lakers and his struggles against the Wolves have looked like more than just injury. Murray looks small and slow out there. He’s getting manhandled by the bigger, more physical defenders of Minnesota and it’s really bothering Jamal.

The refs have let them play incredibly physically and Murray has never looked more frustrated than he did in game two. He couldn’t make a shot and he couldn’t buy a call. The situation boiled over in the second quarter when he angrily tossed a heating pad onto the court during play while seated on the bench.

Not only is this a poor display of emotions and a sign that Murray’s frustrations were getting the best of him, but it’s downright unsafe and he put himself at risk of a major fine or possibly even a suspension. Along with not contributing on offense at all, Murray has been getting picked on relentlessly on the defensive end.

To think, a week ago everyone was calling Jamal Murray one of the great playoff risers and clutch performers of all time, and now he almost looks like a liability out there. If he can’t rise to his usual level for game three and give the Nuggets a legitimate second star, this series is over.