Denver Nuggets budding star Jamal Murray got the better of his rival, Utah Jazz All-Star Donovan Mitchell, on Tuesday. The Nuggets overcame a 3-1 series lead by the Salt Lake City squad and took Game 7 on Tuesday, 80-78, to advance to the second round of the Western Conference playoffs.
The pair of explosive scorers both made history during the extremely-competitive series, joining the ranks of all-time greats like Michael Jordan and Allen Iverson as players to have multiple 50-plus point outings in one playoff run.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Murray bared his respect and admiration for Mitchell and said he looks forward to more matchups against him in the future.
“It was an amazing duel. He (Mitchell) just willed his team every game, win or lose. He had that fight and you’ve got to show respect. We talk off the court, too. We’re both Adidas guys, we see each other often,” the 23-year-old Nuggets guard said.
“I pay respects for him. It was a great battle, and it’s not going to be the only one either. We expect to see each other a lot down the future. He raises my game, I raise his. We go at it, and it’s a lot of fun. We bring the best out of each other.”
“We bring the best out of each other.“
Jamal Murray discusses competing against Donovan Mitchell. pic.twitter.com/lZBEGz2ZdZ
— NBA TV (@NBATV) September 2, 2020
After trading basket after basket throughout the grueling seven-game affair, Jamal Murray and Donovan Mitchell also shared a tender moment as the final horn sounded in Game 7.
The Jazz star finished with a better individual outing on Tuesday, recording 22 points and nine rebounds in 43 minutes. Murray, meanwhile, had a tough night shooting the ball after his 50-point eruption in Game 6.
The Kentucky-alum notched just 17 points, two boards, and four assists in 41 minutes. However, he did make key baskets in the fourth period to give Denver a slight edge.
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