Murray addresses his critical free-throw misses.
The Denver Nuggets have been fighting all season without key pieces of their roster, and Tuesday night was no different.
Missing Nikola Jokic, Aaron Gordon, Christian Braun, and Cam Johnson, the Nuggets still managed to keep it close against the best team in the Eastern Conference and had a chance to force overtime down the stretch.
In their 109-107 loss to the Detroit Pistons at Ball Arena, Murray had not one but two golden opportunities to tie the game at the free-throw line after being fouled on three-point attempts in the final seconds.
Both times, he came up empty when it mattered most, and the Pistons escaped with the win.
Murray Takes Responsibility
After the game, Murray didn't make any excuses and was critical of his overall performance.
"I just have to be better. I had a golden opportunity there, twice. I wanted to redeem myself, it just wasn't my night. I have to be better. I can be better all throughout the game; it wasn't just the missed free-throws. I didn't play well today."
Murray finished the night with 24 points and 10 assists, but his shooting struggles were clear as he went just 7-of-18 from the field and 0-of-6 from three-point range.
The missed free throws were the final blow in what Murray himself admitted was one of his worst performances of the season.
Why Murray Still Deserves All-Star Recognition
Despite Tuesday's rough outing, one bad game shouldn't overshadow what has been Murray's best season as a professional.
He's averaging career-highs in points, assists, and three-point shooting while carrying the Nuggets through an incredibly difficult stretch without their MVP center.
Murray has stepped up as Denver's leader during Jokic's absence, and his numbers have been nothing short of impressive.
He's putting up over 25 points per game while shooting above 44 percent from beyond the arc, which ranks among the best in the league.
His decision-making has been sharp, and his ability to create offense for teammates has been a big reason why the Nuggets have stayed competitive.
With the loss, Denver drops to 31-16 on the season and sits third in the Western Conference, while Detroit improves to 34-11 and holds a comfortable lead atop the East.
The Nuggets have now lost three straight home games, but they've managed to go 7-3 in the ten games since Jokic went down with his knee injury.
Looking Ahead
Even the best players have off nights, and Murray's track record this season shows he's one of the most reliable guards in the league.
His ability to lead the Nuggets through adversity and his consistent performance should make him a lock for his first All-Star selection when the reserves are announced.
Murray will have a chance to bounce back Thursday night when the Nuggets host the Brooklyn Nets at Ball Arena.
With Jokic potentially nearing a return, the Nuggets are hoping to get healthy down the stretch and make a push in the competitive Western Conference.