Instant Reactions: Mavericks can’t contain Jamal Murray in loss to Nuggets

Dallas Mavericks wing Khris Middleton found himself isolated against Jamal Murray, and the Denver Nuggets guard made him pay.

Murray rocked Middleton back and forth before drilling a stepback 3-pointer from the right wing.

And that wasn’t even his best play of the night.

Murray knocked down multiple 3-pointers while sending Mavericks defenders stumbling, continuing a season-long problem for Dallas: defending quick guards at the point of attack. Los Angeles Clippers guard Darius Garland scored 41 points on the Mavericks last week.

That’s an area the Mavericks will need to address before trying to make a playoff push next season.

Still, Dallas managed to keep the game close for a stretch, helped by Denver committing 14 fouls in the third quarter.

Mavericks forwards Cooper Flagg and Naji Marshall combined for 48 points in a 142-135 loss to the Denver Nuggets on Wednesday night.

Flagg finished with 26 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, while Marshall added 22 points and four rebounds.

But Dallas was ultimately outmatched by Denver’s star duo.

Murray finished with 53 points and six rebounds, including nine made 3-pointers, while Nikola Jokić added 23 points, 21 rebounds and 19 assists in the win.

P.J. Washington chipped in 19 points and 15 rebounds for Dallas. Washington has averaged 14.1 points while shooting 37.3% from 3-point range in March.

The Mavericks will face the Portland Trailblazers on Friday night.