History of Jamal Murray in Timeline

Jamal Murray is a Canadian professional basketball player for the Denver Nuggets. He played college basketball for the Kentucky Wildcats before being drafted seventh overall by the Nuggets in 2016. Murray played a vital role in the Nuggets' 2023 NBA Championship victory, becoming the ninth Canadian to win an NBA title. In 2026, Murray was named an NBA All-Star. He also represents Canada in international basketball.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1987: Comparison to 1987 NBA Finals

During the 2023 NBA Finals Game 1, Murray and Jokić became the second pair of teammates in NBA history to each put up at least 25 points and 10 assists in an NBA Finals game since Magic Johnson and James Worthy in the 1987 NBA Finals.

February 23, 1997: Jamal Murray's birth

On February 23, 1997, Jamal Murray, the Canadian professional basketball player for the Denver Nuggets, was born.

Others born on this day/year

2009: Nuggets Advance to Western Conference Finals

In 2009, the Nuggets advanced to the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2009.

2013: Represented Canada at the 2013 FIBA Americas Under-16 Championship

In 2013, Jamal Murray represented Canada at the FIBA Americas Under-16 Championship in Uruguay, averaging 17 points, 6 rebounds, and 2.4 steals per game, leading the team to a bronze medal.

2013: Named MVP at Jordan Brand Classic International Game

In 2013, Jamal Murray was named MVP at the Jordan Brand Classic International Game, becoming the second Canadian to win the award.

June 24, 2015: Reclassified and committed to Kentucky

On June 24, 2015, Jamal Murray reclassified to the class of 2015 and committed to Kentucky to play for coach John Calipari.

2015: Played for the Canadian national team at the 2015 Pan American Games

In 2015, Jamal Murray played for the Canadian national team at the Pan American Games, helping the team win a silver medal and averaging 16.0 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game.

2015: Named MVP at Nike Hoop Summit

In 2015, Jamal Murray scored a game-high 30 points at the Nike Hoop Summit and was named the MVP.

2015: Named MVP of BioSteel All-Canadian Basketball Game

In 2015, Jamal Murray was named MVP of the BioSteel All-Canadian Basketball Game, which features the top high school players in Canada.

April 2016: Declared for the NBA draft

In April 2016, Jamal Murray declared for the NBA draft, forgoing his final three years of college eligibility.

June 23, 2016: Drafted by the Denver Nuggets

On June 23, 2016, Jamal Murray was selected by the Denver Nuggets as the seventh overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft.

August 9, 2016: Signed rookie scale contract with the Nuggets

On August 9, 2016, Jamal Murray signed his rookie scale contract with the Denver Nuggets.

November 13, 2016: Scored career-high 19 points

On November 13, 2016, Jamal Murray scored a then career-high 19 points in a loss to the Portland Trail Blazers.

2016: Drafted by the Denver Nuggets

In 2016, Jamal Murray was selected by the Denver Nuggets as the seventh overall pick in the NBA draft.

February 17, 2017: Named MVP of Rising Stars Challenge

On February 17, 2017, Jamal Murray was named MVP of the Rising Stars Challenge after scoring 36 points and 11 assists.

April 7, 2017: Scored career-high 30 points

On April 7, 2017, Jamal Murray scored a career-high 30 points in a win against the New Orleans Pelicans.

November 11, 2017: Scored career-high 32 points

On November 11, 2017, Jamal Murray scored a career-high 32 points in a win over the Orlando Magic.

January 22, 2018: Scored career-high 38 points

On January 22, 2018, Jamal Murray scored a career-high 38 points, including a three-point play in the final minute, as the Nuggets beat the Portland Trail Blazers.

February 1, 2018: Scored 33 points against Oklahoma City Thunder

On February 1, 2018, Jamal Murray had a 33-point effort in a win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.

November 5, 2018: Scored Career-High 48 Points

On November 5, 2018, Jamal Murray scored a career-high 48 points in a 115–107 win over the Boston Celtics.

November 17, 2019: Recorded Season-High 39 Points

On November 17, 2019, Jamal Murray recorded a season-high 39 points and 8 assists, including seven three-pointers, in a 131–114 win over the Memphis Grizzlies.

January 4, 2020: Tied Season-High 39 Points

On January 4, 2020, Jamal Murray tied his season-high 39 points in a 128–114 loss to the Washington Wizards.

2020: Playoff Performance and Social Commentary

In the 2020 NBA playoffs, Jamal Murray had multiple high-scoring games including two 50-point games. After Game 6, Murray became emotional during a postgame interview, addressing racial injustice and honoring George Floyd and Breonna Taylor.

February 19, 2021: Scored Career-High 50 Points

On February 19, 2021, Jamal Murray scored a then career–high 50 points in a win over the Cleveland Cavaliers, becoming the first player in NBA history to score 50 points without attempting a free throw.

2021: Missed Season Due to Injury

In 2021, Jamal Murray missed the entire season while recovering from an ACL tear.

May 24, 2022: Agreed to a three-year commitment to play with the Canadian senior men's national team

On May 24, 2022, Jamal Murray committed to playing with the Canadian senior men's national team for three years.

October 19, 2022: First Game After Injury

On October 19, 2022, Jamal Murray played in his first game in eighteen months, scoring 12 points in a loss to the Utah Jazz.

January 9, 2023: Scored Season-High 34 points

On January 9, 2023, Jamal Murray scored a then-season-high 34 points in a win over the Los Angeles Lakers.

2023: Missed the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup

In 2023, Jamal Murray decided to miss the FIBA Basketball World Cup to recover from his championship-winning NBA season.

2023: Won First NBA Championship

In 2023, Jamal Murray was a key contributor to the Denver Nuggets' first NBA championship run, becoming the ninth Canadian to win an NBA title.

April 22, 2024: Game-Winning Shot Against Lakers

On April 22, 2024, Jamal Murray hit a buzzer-beating, game-winning shot over Anthony Davis in a 101–99 victory against the Los Angeles Lakers.

May 6, 2024: Fined by NBA for On-Court Incident

On May 6, 2024, during Game 2 against the Minnesota Timberwolves, Jamal Murray threw a heat pack and towel towards the court. The next day, the NBA fined him $100,000 but did not suspend him.

September 7, 2024: Signed Contract Extension

On September 7, 2024, Jamal Murray signed a four-year, $208 million contract extension with the Nuggets.

2024: Named to Canada's roster for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris

In 2024, Jamal Murray was named to Canada's roster for the Summer Olympics in Paris.

January 14, 2025: Scored Season-High 45 Points

On January 14, 2025, Jamal Murray scored a then season-high 45 points (32 points in the first half) in a 118–99 win over the Dallas Mavericks.

January 2025: Revealed to be a father to an 18-month old daughter

In January 2025, it was revealed that Jamal Murray is a father to an 18-month-old daughter.

December 3, 2025: 52 points and 10 three-pointers in a win against the Indiana Pacers

On December 3, 2025, Jamal Murray scored 52 points and made 10 three-pointers in a 135-120 victory against the Indiana Pacers, joining Aaron Gordon as the only Nuggets players to achieve at least 50 points with at least 10 three-pointers in a single game.