Jamal Murray scores 50 without a free throw
Jamal Murray records historic 50-point performance.
Nuggets guard Jamal Murray has been known for mercurial scoring nights, and he set a new regular-season career-high on Friday with 50 points in a 120-103 victory against the Cavaliers. He previously scored 50 in a pair of playoff games, making him one of seven players with more 50-point showings in the postseason, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
Murray shot an astounding 21-for-25, including 8-for-10 from 3-point range. He did not attempt a free throw, which, according to ESPN Stats & Info, was the first time anyone scored 50 without one. He also became the first player with at least 50 points and 8 3-pointers while shooting at least 80% from the floor. His 84% mark trails only Wilt Chamberlain’s 87% (Dec. 20, 1967) for highest field goal percentage among 50-point showings.
Players to have 50+ points, 8+ threes, and 80+ FG% in a single game in NBA history:
Jamal Murray.
That's it. That's the list. #MileHighBasketball pic.twitter.com/Mq7ZHdY03g
— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) February 20, 2021
“I can shoot a little bit,” Murray wryly stated postgame. “Once I seen a few go down, I just took off from there. I kind of mixed it up. I was able to get to the rim on them when they tried to change the coverage. And we got a lot of weapons — you can’t just flat out double me when I’m hot. You’ve got a Joker [center Nikola Jokic], who’s the MVP of the season; he’ll pick you apart, especially when he’s playing 4-on-3.”
With Jokic having poured 50 on the Kings earlier this month, the Nuggets duo became just the fifth pair of teammates to score at least 50 on the road in the same season.
Teammates with 50 Points on the Road
| Season | Team | Player 1 | Player 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020-21 | Denver Nuggets | Nikola Jokic | Feb. 6, 2021; 50 | Jamal Murray | Feb. 19, 2021; 50 |
| 2019-20 | Houston Rockets | James Harden | 4 times | Eric Gordon | Jan. 27, 2020; 50 |
| 2018-19 | Golden State Warriors | Klay Thompson | Oct. 29, 2018; 52 | Kevin Durant | Nov. 29, 2018; 51 |
| 2018-19 | Phoenix Suns | Devin Booker | March 25, 2019; 59 | Jamal Crawford | April 9, 2019; 51 |
| 1994-95 | Dallas Mavericks | Jamal Mashburn | Nov. 12, 1994; 50 | Jim Jackson | Nov. 26, 1994; 50 |
