Nuggets Notes: Jamal Murray, Nikola Jokic, Michael Malone

The Nuggets entered the playoffs as the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference and they’ve never doubted that status was earned, shooting guard Jamal Murray suggested.

“We don’t lose belief in what we can do,” Murray said, via Harrison Wind of DNVR Sports. “We play like the No. 1 seed and we believe we’re the No. 1 seed. And we back it up.”

The Nuggets hold a 2-0 series lead over the Lakers in the Western Conference finals, with the series about to shift to Los Angeles.

It took a 23-point eruption from Murray in the fourth quarter to enable the Nuggets to claim Game 2, of course. But whatever it takes to stay on top, he indicated.

“You don’t want to regret it when you go home at night,” Murray said. “Don’t want to say ‘I could have run a little harder. I could have made that extra pass. I could have made that play.’ We were tired and we know they’re tired too. We’re used to playing in altitude.”

• Star center Nikola Jokic said he’s not really bothered by the fact the national narrative seems to always focus on everyone but Denver. “To be honest, I like it. We don’t care,” Jokic said, via Wind. “Whatever. If you remember even in the bubble when we beat Utah, they were talking about how they blew the lead. When we beat the Clippers it was about them blowing the lead.”
• Coach Michael Malone shared similar sentiments. “The national narrative [after Game 1] was that the Lakers were fine,” Malone told reporters. “No one talked about Nikola having a historic performance. The narrative wasn’t about the Nuggets.”
• Added Murray: “Same old, same old. It just fuels us a little more. And it will be sweeter when we win the (championship).”

Greatness doesn't skip steps. #StepUpTime pic.twitter.com/FU4wdAXM0m

— DNVR Nuggets (@DNVR_Nuggets) May 19, 2023