Despite a slow start to the season (2 points in his first 4 games), Jamal Murray has really stepped up his game for the Denver Nuggets. With a strong finish to the month of November, the former Kentucky Wildcats star was awarded with the first Western Conference Rookie of the Month Award of the season.
The @Sixers' @JoelEmbiid & @Nuggets' @BeMore27 named @Kia #NBA Rookies of the Month for October/November! #KiaNBAROM pic.twitter.com/qqOj0CE0CR
— NBA (@NBA) December 1, 2016
Averaging 10.4 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.1 assists for the season, Murray has become a real weapon for his young, struggling Nuggets team. Shooting nearly 42% from 3-point range for the season, Murray scored at least 18 points in 4 of the last 6 games in the month of November.
The former number 7 draft pick has put himself in a position to contend for the NBA Rookie of the Year Award. However, with Joel Embiid apparently being classified as a rookie (he won the Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month Award), the competition will be stiff.
Tune in to see Murray defend his Rookie of the Month crown on Friday at 10:30 p.m. against the Houston Rockets on ESPN.
Congrats to @nuggets @BeMore27 on his @NBA Rookie of the Month nod!
— NBA Canada (@NBACanada) December 1, 2016
Canadian Murray led West rookies in scoring (10.4 ppg)- his top plays: pic.twitter.com/P84PZnOxKr