The Denver Nuggets are 2-1 to start the season, and Jamal Murray is off to the best start of his career. The tenth-year guard has averaged 30.3 points and six assists to open the year.
Famously, Nikola Jokic has never shared the floor with another All-Star. Murray has looked the part in years past, but is yet to make the cut. With three excellent games under his belt, fans are buzzing. This could be the year!
However, Murray is no longer an exciting young player. He is an established veteran, and a certain level of play is expected from him. His window to make a splashy All-Star debut is quickly closing, and the talent in the West isn’t helping his case.
GettyOKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA – MAY 05: Nikola Jokic #15 and Jamal Murray #27 of the Denver Nuggets talk during the third quarter of Round Two Game One of the 2025 NBA Playoffs against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center on May 05, 2025 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images)
Western Conference Is Stacked With Talent
Last year’s backcourt rotation for the West in the All-Star Game was, as always, excellent. Stephen Curry, James Harden, Kyrie Irving, Jalen Williams, Anthony Edwards, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander all made the cut.
Injuries will hold Irving back from making this year’s event, and Harden is not a guarantee to make it. However, Luka Doncic is healthy, Devin Booker could be back to All-Star form, and a healthy De’Aaron Fox paired with Victor Wembanyama should be dangerous.
In short, there might not be room for Murray. Add in other elite players looking to make the All-Star Game for the first time, and Murray’s window could be closed.
“We talked about Austin Reaves on his show, having an opportunity to be a first-time All-Star…Wemby and the guys down in San Antonio, if they keep playing the way that they’re going to play, they’re going to have an opportunity to have one or two guys come in,” pointed out Lou Williams on FanDuel’s Run It Back. “You got to compete with a lot of different guys.”
Denver Nuggets Could Benefit From New Format
The NBA has teased a USA vs. World contest for the last several seasons, and Adam Silver seems willing to pull the trigger this year.
A lot of the top guards are American. Murray, however, hails from Canada. Of course, Gilgeous-Alexander, Doncic, and Dyson Daniels are also international player, although Murray could make the cut as a reserve.
“If he’s going to get a Canadian look for the international team, that’s going to be something different,” Williams admitted. “But he has to perform night in and night out at a level like this if he even wants to be mentioned in a class of some of these guys that are up and coming.”
If the NBA embraces a World vs. USA format, it’s hard to imagine the Americans holding their ground. Between Jokic, Wembanyama, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Alperen Sengun, Team World has a much better frontcourt. SGA and Doncic are two of the best guards in the world. Murray would fit in well off the bench.
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