Jamal Murray hits late jumper to lift Nuggets past Hornets

Murray lived up to his promise in his return to court Thursday night, hitting a running, 13-footer off one foot from baseline with 5.1 seconds to help Denver overcame an eight-point fourth quarter deficit and beat Charlotte Hornets 114-112.

“My energy was different and I was more aggressive,” Murray said. “I was talking more, playing defense harder and doing all of little things.”

Murray finished with 18 points and six assists, and Nikola Jokic ded 14 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists for Denver.

Nuggets remained in third place in Western Conference, a game behind Los Angeles Clippers.

“I never want any one player taking blame because reality is this: when we win, we win as a team, and we lose, we lose as a team,” Nuggets coach Mike Malone said of Murray’s tweet. “Did Jamal play great against Golden State? , he didn’t. But he wasn’t only one. It’s a ble act by Jamal Murray but more importantly I think it’s great when a guy says, you kw what, I didn’t play my best so I am going to come out and have a better game next game. I am going to hold myself to a higher standard.”

Devonte Graham h 24 points and seven assists for Hornets. P.J, Washington ded 20 points and Terry Rozier h 19. Rozier’s 3-pointer at buzzer rimmed out.

Jokic became frustrated at times with officiating, picking up his third foul late in first half, his fourth just five minutes into third quarter and fifth with 2:38 left in game.

He argued with officials after a n-call under Hornets’ basket, n wouldn’t allow Charlotte to inbound ball, attempting to intercept ball when an official flipped it to Graham because he wasn’t done discussing call.

A short while later, Jokic was whistled for his fourth foul after pushing off against Cody Zeller and heed to bench shaking his he.

Hornets rallied to take a 94-86 le with eight minutes left in regulation with Jokic watching from bench. But Nuggets battled back to tie it with five minutes left. On tying basket, Will Barton threw an inbounds pass to himself off back of Charlotte’s Cody Martin and dunked it, n grinned as he ran back down floor to play defense.

(Pic Credit: Pixabay)