What should’ve been a benign jump ball at the end of Friday’s Nuggets-Thunder matchup turned into a revealing moment that encapsulated Denver’s burgeoning confidence.
Russell Westbrook stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Jamal Murray, the two jostling for position with the game already decided and just 35 seconds remaining on the clock. Awaiting a jump ball, Westbrook took a step in front of Murray and shoved him, inviting the confrontation that happened next.
“He was in my way,” Westbrook said curtly after the 109-98 loss to the Nuggets that improved Denver’s West-leading record to 19-9.
Murray, whose 19 points and nine rebounds were each second only to Nikola Jokic’s sterling night, had a different version.