Jamal Murray scores 34 second-half points as Nuggets down Kings for best start in franchise history

You’ve seen Jamal Murray on fire before, like when the Nuggets’ 21-year-old starting point put 48 on the Boston Celtics, or last week in Phoenix when Murray scored 46 points on just 24 shots. But Murray has never been as hot as he was in tonight’s second half.

After scoring just two points over the first two quarters of action, Murray exploded for 34 points in 21 second-half minutes. He finished with 36 on the night, to go with seven rebounds and six assists as the Nuggets outlasted the Sacramento Kings to move to 25-11 on the season, good for their best start in franchise history.

The Kings blitzed the Nuggets in the first half, hitting 56 percent of their shots from the field and 47 percent of their threes. Sacramento led by 13 at the half. Then Murray saw his first shot go through the hoop.

First, it was a 25-foot three that hit nothing but net. Then he hit another triple on Denver’s next possession. From there, Murray was off, leading a personal 8-0 Nuggets run as Denver pulled to within four early in the third quarter. From there, Murray continued to get loose, scoring 17 in the third and another 17 in the deciding fourth quarter that was close until the final minute of action. Murray’s dagger was a four-point play with Denver leading 111-108 with 36 seconds to go.

Buddy Hield kept the Kings close down the stretch, tallying 11 points in the fourth quarter including a trio of three-pointers late in the period to keep the pressure on Denver. Hield finished with a team-high 29 points.

Nikola Jokic finished with 26 points, 13 rebounds and six assists as he continues to push for his first career All-Star appearance. Mason Plumlee scored 12 points to go with 10 rebounds and four assists off the Nuggets’ bench. Gary Harris, in his second game back from a 10-game absence, added 14 points in 31 minutes off the bench.

The Western Conference-leading Nuggets hosts the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday.