Career Timeline of Jamal Murray: Major Achievements and Milestones

How Jamal Murray built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Jamal Murray is a Canadian professional basketball player currently playing for the Denver Nuggets in the NBA. 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, making him the ninth Canadian to achieve this milestone. He also represents his home country of Canada in international basketball tournaments.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

2009: Nuggets Advance to Western Conference Finals

In September of 2020, Jamal Murray led the Nuggets to a series-clinching win against the Los Angeles Clippers, advancing them to the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2009.

2013: FIBA Americas Under-16 Championship

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

2015: Pan American Games

In 2015, Jamal Murray played for the Canadian national team at the Pan American Games, where he helped the team win a silver medal. His averages for the tournament were 16.0 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game, while shooting 45.9% from the field.

April 2016: Declared for the NBA Draft

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

June 23, 2016: Drafted by 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 Contract with Nuggets

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

November 13, 2016: Career-High 19 Points vs Portland

On November 13, 2016, Jamal Murray scored a then career-high 19 points in a 112–105 loss to the Portland Trail Blazers.

2016: Drafted by Denver Nuggets

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

April 7, 2017: Career-High 30 points vs Pelicans

On April 7, 2017, Jamal Murray scored a career-high 30 points in a 122–106 win over the New Orleans Pelicans.

November 11, 2017: Career-High 32 points vs Magic

On November 11, 2017, Jamal Murray scored a career-high 32 points in a 125–107 win over the Orlando Magic.

January 22, 2018: Career-High 38 Points vs Trail Blazers

On January 22, 2018, Jamal Murray scored a career-high 38 points in a 104–101 win against the Portland Trail Blazers.

February 1, 2018: 33-Point Effort vs Thunder

On February 1, 2018, Jamal Murray had a 33-point effort in a 127–124 win over the Oklahoma City Thunder.

November 5, 2018: Career-High 48 Points vs Celtics

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

November 17, 2019: Season-High 39 Points vs Grizzlies

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 vs Wizards

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

2020: Playoff Performances in 2020

In the 2020 NBA playoffs, specifically in the first-round matchup against the Utah Jazz, Jamal Murray had several high-scoring games, including a 50-point performance in Game 4. Following Game 6, Murray became emotional during a postgame interview addressing racial injustice and honoring George Floyd and Breonna Taylor.

February 19, 2021: Career-High 50 Points vs Cavaliers

On February 19, 2021, Jamal Murray scored a then career–high 50 points in a 120–103 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. During the game he achieved the unique feat of scoring 50 points without attempting a free throw.

May 24, 2022: Commitment to Canadian National Team

On May 24, 2022, Jamal Murray committed to play 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 26 minutes during a loss to the Utah Jazz.

January 9, 2023: Season-High 34 Points vs Lakers

On January 9, 2023, Jamal Murray scored a then-season-high 34 points in a 122–109 win over the Los Angeles Lakers.

2023: Missed FIBA Basketball World Cup

In 2023, Jamal Murray joined Canada in their preparations for the FIBA Basketball World Cup but ultimately decided to miss the competition to recover from his championship-winning NBA season.

2023: NBA Championship with the Denver Nuggets

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

April 22, 2024: Game-Winning Shot Against Lakers

On April 22, 2024, Jamal Murray made a buzzer-beating, game-winning shot against the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 2 of the first round of the playoffs, securing a 101–99 victory.