Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray admitted he and his team lost their composure in their Game 2 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night, and said he takes “full responsibility” for his actions.
On Tuesday, Murray was fined $100,000 for throwing a towel and a thermal pack on the court “in the direction of the match referee during live play” in the second quarter of the 106-80 loss. He also avoided a suspension and penalty for signing money to an official earlier in the second quarter.
Murray on Wednesday had little to say about his actions, which put players on both teams and Mark Davis’ management staff at risk or a fine issued by the league.
“No, I mean that’s the case and I take full responsibility for everything, and so on,” Murray said when asked if he expected a fine and if he felt his punishment was appropriate.
“Yes, on to the next. I mean, two days ago, I don’t have much to say about that now.”
But Nuggets coach Michael Malone delivered a stern message to his team on Wednesday.
“Guys, we’re world champions,” Malone said. “Act like it and play like it.”
Minnesota heads home with a 2-0 lead in a best-of-seven Western Conference semifinal series. Game 3 will take place Friday night (9:30 p.m. ET, ESPN).
“That kind of sums up that game and why we lost,” Malone said he showed his team nine clips from Game 2. “And our players owned it. The biggest challenge for them and I don’t have an answer for whoever is going to ask me to do this is do these guys believe it? They’re all saying it but we’re all going to figure it out together.” Friday night.
“We just have to be ready to play and not get frustrated with the way the game is going sometimes and we let it take us out of our game,” said Murray, who was dazed by a strain in his left calf and failed to shoot. Touch and scarcity of whistles go his way. “So, we just have to keep our composure and find a way to stay together during the game and figure it out. No matter what the scoreboard says, we have to be able to bounce back.”
The towel thrown by Murray landed on Davis’ heel at the baseline but the heat pack slid to the floor as Karl-Anthony Towns prepared for a layup.
“I’ve never seen that from Jamal,” Malone said. “It was completely uncharacteristic.” Murray attributed his loss of nerve to “taking charge, which is not what it is called, and not shooting the ball at the level we know he is capable of, and falling behind by 30 points against a team we are trying to overcome to reach the Western Conference finals.” .
“So, when you put everything in the boiling pot, it’s a lot to handle. And he didn’t handle it the way he knew he needed to, and I’m sure he told you guys that.”
Wolves coach Chris Finch described Murray’s actions as “dangerous and unjustified”, saying someone could have easily been hurt.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
“Coffee ninja. Web fan. Hipster-friendly beer enthusiast. Professional creator.”