DENVER — A perfect performance at the charity stripe has become the center of controversy following Denver’s 116-105 victory over Minnesota in Saturday’s playoff opener.
Jamal Murray connected on all 16 of his free throw attempts while the entire Timberwolves roster combined for just 19 trips to the line — a stark difference that caught the attention of Minnesota’s coaching staff.
“Well, the 16 free throws from Murray was a head scratcher,” Minnesota coach Chris Finch commented following the defeat. “I thought we played really good defense on him.”
Murray defended the officiating after his 30-point performance.
“I thought I got fouled on every single one of them,” Murray stated. “I don’t know what everybody’s talking about. Real fouls.”
The guard’s flawless free throw shooting established a new Denver franchise record for most successful attempts without a miss in postseason play, surpassing Bryant Stith’s previous mark of 14 consecutive makes against Utah on May 17, 1994. The 16 attempts also represented a career high for Murray in any NBA contest.
With his three-point shot struggling — finishing 0-for-8 from beyond the arc — Murray adjusted his approach by attacking the basket more aggressively. Eight of his free throw attempts came during the second quarter alone.
“A lot of those ones in the second quarter, we were there,” Finch explained. “We were physical. We were vertical. He initiates the contact, he spills away and then he gets rewarded for it.”
“Sixteen free throws is a lot. It’s almost as many as we shot all game,” Finch added.
Murray received strong support from teammate Nikola Jokic, who recorded his 22nd career playoff triple-double with 25 points, 13 rebounds, and 11 assists. Denver now holds a 15-7 record in postseason games when Jokic achieves a triple-double.
Murray dominated throughout the contest, contributing seven assists and five rebounds across more than 39 minutes of action.
“He’s been so good all year,” Denver coach David Adelman praised, as his squad prepares for Monday night’s Game 2. “Jamal has been Jamal all year, tough-minded.”
Minnesota guard Anthony Edwards continues working back to full strength following a right knee injury, contributing 22 points and seven assists in just over 38 minutes of play.
“It wasn’t the Ant we’re used to seeing, but is pretty much as expected in where he is in trying to find his rhythm,” Finch noted about his star player’s performance.
Edwards acknowledged he’s still finding his form.
“A little fatigued,” Edwards admitted. “Other than that I felt good.”
Edwards converted 6 of 7 attempts from the free throw line himself.
“Jamal helped them. He shot, what 19 — how many free throws did he shoot?” Edwards said while reviewing the statistics. “Sixteen for sixteen from the free-throw line. So that helped them a lot.”
