Jamal Murray playing Timberwolves again is still punishable without suspension

It’s impossible to know where Jamal Murray’s head is right now.

After a terrible Game 2, in which an injured Murray shot 16 percent from the field and had an emotional outburst toward the officials, a suspension for the Denver Nuggets star seemed likely.

Instead, he must retreat into the hellish landscape that infuriated him beyond a boiling point in the first place: the teeth of the Minnesota Timberwolves’ incredible defense.

On Tuesday evening, the NBA announced that Murray would be fined $100,000 for dangerously throwing several objects in the direction of referee Mark Davis. To be fair, Murray probably deserved to miss at least a game, but it feels like the NBA punished the process more than the outcome (no one got hurt).

Considering how Murray has performed against the Timberwolves thus far, his play in Game 3 on Friday night in Minneapolis is probably still punishment enough:

The following was released by the NBA: pic.twitter.com/MlbHrJ3qtQ

— NBA Communications (@NBAPR) May 7, 2024

Through two games against Minnesota, Murray shot just 9 of 34 from the field. He has just six assists and has turned the ball over five times. Some of these horrific numbers are somewhat misleading as Murray has struggled to initiate Denver’s offense against Minnesota’s relentless ball pressure. (Calling out to Nikola Jokic!).

If Murray had the ability to actually get more free play and more shots, the sample size suggests he wouldn’t be playing that much better anyway.

Murray deserves credit for trying to overcome a calf injury when his team needs him. His heroic 32-point performance against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 5 of the first round came after Nuggets team doctors advised him not to play. But it’s becoming clear that a combination of that injury, which may worsen, and the Timberwolves’ elite defense has left Murray resentful and frustrated with his poor play.

Had Murray been suspended for Game 3, he would have had two more days to rest his calves, with the opportunity to look a lot sharper in Sunday’s Game 4. It could have been a small boon for Murray, even if Denver got into foul trouble. a disastrous gap in the 3-0 series. Instead, with the reigning champion’s season likely on the line, Murray must once again venture into the belly of the beast against a sharky Minnesota team that knows he’s hurt and smells blood in the belly of the beast. water.

The NBA certainly didn’t intend it that way, but it’s hard not to read that as a punishment in itself.