It's been over two decades since the last time the Denver Nuggets had two players selected to play in the All-Star game, when NBA Hall of Famers Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups were selected for the 2010 All-Star game in Dallas, Texas. For 2026 in Los Angeles, the Nuggets will finally have two All-Stars again.

Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic were selected and are set to represent Team World in the new All-Star format this season, with Jokic being named a starter and Murray a reserve. It's not a surprise to see Jokic there, who is a three-time MVP, but it is Murray's first selection despite being one of the better point guards for a few years.

It's been a career season for the ninth-year guard out of Kentucky, who is averaging career-bests in points (25.7 PPG), assists (7.6 APG), rebounds (4.4 RPG), and three-pointers made per game (3.2 3PM).

Murray has been vocal about wanting to be competitive in the All-Star game, something that many players have strayed away from over the past couple of years. However, head coach David Adelman wants his star guard to learn one key lesson on his trip to Los Angeles.

"Just the experience...I think it's just the experience being around the other guys, you know what I mean? They have the glorified practice, but you really get to know these other people that you've competed against at a really high level in the playoffs and all of those things. So, I'll be interested to see what the format's like," Adelman said.

The new format will feature one team comprised of international players and two teams of United States players, going head-to-head to determine a champion. A way of copying the success the NHL had with the 4 Nations Face Off, the NBA hopes this new format will be a recipe for future success.

"Just for him to get the notoriety of what it is, and he deserves it. He was another guy tonight that just toughed it out. He's been going through a lot with his body. It's an honor to go and represent your team, represent the league. I think now, representing the World team, it's cool," he added.

Four of Denver's five opening night starters have dealt with an injury of some sort this season that has held them out for multiple games, and Murray has been the only really healthy one. He's missed a handful of contests, but the weight has been put on his shoulders this season, and he's stepped up to the challenge.

"I'm just happy for him to go see the experience," Adelman concluded.

Murray is set to participate in the All-Star game on Sunday as well as the three-point contest on Saturday night. The three-point contest started in 1986, and Voshon Lenard is the only player in Nuggets history to win the contest, doing so in 2004 in LA. So perhaps the story repeats itself 22 years later.