Murray Ramps Up Defense for Nuggets

Jamal Murray is showing improved effort on defense as Denver works to climb out of a bottom-tier defensive ranking this season.

Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Basketball

Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray is improving his defensive effort this season, even as the team ranks 21st in defensive rating. Murray is the only one of the Nuggets' four most-played players making a positive defensive impact this season, according to Databallr's WOWY stats.

Why it matters

The Nuggets ranked in the top four offensively in each of the past two seasons but 21st on defense in both, making the defensive shortfall a persistent issue. Murray's effort could help the team's overall defense as players buy into the effort.

Murray is averaging 25.8 points, 5.6 assists and shooting 53.5% from beyond the arc this season, while the Nuggets sit 21st in defensive rating. Whether his defensive gains will lift the team's ranking over the remaining 77 games has not yet been established.

The players

Jamal Murray

Denver Nuggets point guard who earned his first All-Star and All-NBA selections last season and has long been known for his offensive scoring.

Johnson

Denver Nuggets head coach who publicly praised Murray's defensive effort at practice.

The details

Murray has been the aggressor on defense, serving as point of attack in recent games, including a steal after cutting off a drive. Coach Johnson praised his defensive effort at Sunday practice, and the Nuggets have typically seen Murray as a negative defender in past years.

Past two seasons: Nuggets ranked top four offensively and 21st defensively.
Last season: Murray earned his first All-Star and All-NBA nods.
Sunday, November 1, 2026: Johnson praised Murray's defensive effort at practice.

Season Trajectory

The Nuggets have ranked top four offensively but 21st defensively in each of the past two seasons, a pattern that has defined their recent identity. Murray's improved defensive effort is an attempt to break that pattern, which would matter for their standing across the remaining 77 games.

The Nuggets' defensive ranking directly affects how they match up against opponents in the coming games, making Murray's defensive role a factor in lineup decisions. Fantasy managers tracking Murray's 25.8 points and 5.6 assists per game should note his defensive effort may affect his minutes.

The takeaway

Watch whether the Nuggets' defensive ranking improves as players adopt Murray's approach over the next several weeks. Sustained defensive effort, rather than occasional highlight plays, is what moves a team's ranking.