Murray contributed 28 points, which included five dunks and several crucial 3-pointers, aiding Denver in narrowly avoiding what has historically been a challenging matchup on Tuesday night.

In the second quarter and against the Utah Jazz, Denver faced a challenging situation. Despite a somewhat unsteady performance, Denver emerged victorious with a 111-95 win over a depleted Utah Jazz team. This victory marked only the second win for Michael Malone and Nikola Jokic at the Delta Center during their time with the Nuggets, breaking a six-game losing streak in Salt Lake City.

The Nuggets, currently tied with the Minnesota Timberwolves for first place in the Western Conference with three games remaining for both teams, are gearing up for a crucial matchup against the Timberwolves on Wednesday. The outcome of this game will determine the leader in the conference. If the Nuggets lose, they risk finishing as the No. 3 seed unless they receive assistance from Oklahoma City.

In order to reach the anticipated matchup unharmed, Jamal Murray had to fully shake off the rust accumulated from missing the past seven games.

He showcased his defensive prowess with four steals and three blocks while shooting 11 for 20, resulting in a game-high 28 points. Notably, Murray achieved a career-best five dunks, all achieved before halftime. One particularly impressive reverse slam served as evidence of his restored health, coinciding with Denver’s establishment of a commanding 19-point lead in the first quarter.

However, the dreaded second quarter proved to be a turning point, as it often does. Despite doubling up Utah’s 17 points in the first quarter, the Nuggets struggled defensively in the second, allowing 36 points. This shift set the tone for the remainder of the game, as Utah fought to narrow the gap to single digits.

Towards the end of the third quarter, a 3-pointer from Talen Horton-Tucker, who was on a hot streak, halved Denver’s lead. The game remained tightly contested for a brief moment, until Reggie Jackson, despite struggling with his shooting, sank a critical 3-pointer to ignite a crucial 7-0 run for Denver.