Jokic-Murray combo leads Nuggets to Western Conference Finals

PHOENIX (AP)— Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone said it was around Decemberwhen he thought this could be a championship-caliber team.

Jamal Murraywas a believer even sooner. Like in 2019.

“When we’rehealthy, we know what we can do,” Denver’s point guard said. “Wejust need everyone on the court. We’ve always had thepotential.”

Afterwatching the Nuggets steamroll the Suns in Game 6 to clinch theWestern Conference semifinals, it’s hard to argue with him.

Nikola Jokicscored 32 points and finished with a triple-double, Murray added 26and the Nuggets are off to the Western Conference finals for thefirst time since 2020afterbeating the Phoenix Suns 125-100 in Game 6 to clinch theseries. Denver has never made the NBA Finals.

Thetop-seeded Nuggets will play the winner of the Lakers-Warriorsseries. The Lakers have a 3-2 lead.

No matter whoadvances in the other series, the Nuggets will likely get lesspress than their opponent. The Lakers have LeBron James and AnthonyDavis. The Warriors have Steph Curry.

“You can sitthere and fight it and complain, or you can embrace who we are andwhat we have,” Malone said. “I’d rather not waste time with all thepundits who count us out or don’t give us the respect that wedeserve as a team.”

Malone saidthe Nuggets’ critics have one valid argument.

“There’s onething we haven’t done,” Malone said. “Until we win a championship,people are going to keep saying (negative things) about us. Sothat’s what drives us, winning a championship. Getting to theWestern Conference finals doesn’t do it. Getting to the Finalsdoesn’t do it.

“It’s winninga championship.”

The Nuggets —led by the Jokic-Murray combo — look as thought they have the chopsto pull it off.

Jokic hasalready had four triple-doubles this postseason in 11 games,contributing 32 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds in Game 6.Murray is back to playing at an elite level following his ACLinjury. The team also has excellent role players in KentaviousCaldwell-Pope, Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter Jr.

That depthwas something the Suns simply couldn’t match, particularly afterChris Paul and Deandre Ayton went down with injuries.

The Nuggetstook full advantage.

“When youplay against a team with their backs against the wall, facingelimination, you just can’t show up and think you can just arrivefor this game,” Malone said. “We did not want to be counterpunchers. We wanted to go out and strike first.”

Now theNuggets have a few days to enjoy some well-earned rest while theLakers and Warriors conclude their series.

Denver isfour wins away from playing in the first NBA Finals in franchisehistory. The last time the Nuggets advanced to the WesternConference finals, they lost to the Lakers in 2020 in the Floridabubble.

But theJokic-Murray combo keeps getting better and they’re looking for adifferent outcome this time around.

“The lastfive years, we’ve improved every year,” Jokic said. “We’re makingsomething new. It’s just amazing to be a part of this journeyaround these games. I think we can do something nice.”