Sometimes, NBA games double as fashion shows—and Jamal Murray just walked out of the tunnel like it was Paris Fashion Week. Right before tipoff in Game 2 against the Clippers, the Nuggets guard had everyone doing a double-take. Why? He showed up wearing long sleeves under his jersey. No red flags in Game 1. Nothing listed on the injury report. Just those sleeves—and naturally, fans started asking questions.

But according to TNT’s broadcast, Murray was actually dealing with some mystery illness. The sleeves weren’t a fashion flex this time—they were helping him tough it out on the floor. And you don’t want to mess with someone who is under the weather, playing a playoff game.

Game 2 between the Nuggets and Clippers wasn’t just about basketball—it turned into a full-blown drama episode, starring Jamal Murray and Norman Powell. It started about 6 mins into the 3rd quarter when Powell gave Murray a little extra shove down the right wing—nothing too wild, but definitely enough to get under someone’s skin. And clearly, it did. Then Harden swung the ball Powell’s way, but before he can make a move, Murray—clearly done with the nonsense—wraps him up in what looked more like a wrestling move than a foul. And no, this wasn’t just a quick grab.

The whistle had already gone off, but Murray kept holding on like he didn’t hear a thing. Then boom—he lifts Powell clean off the ground. Like, literally picks the dude. Like Steven Adams did to Tony Bradley. Christian Braun didn’t hesitate. The moment he spotted the chaos unfolding, he rushed in to back up Murray. On the other side, Kris Dunn quickly stepped in to support Powell, making sure his teammate wasn’t outnumbered as tensions flared. Powell didn’t just go at Murray, he followed it up by giving Braun a solid shove.

After checking the replay, the refs made some calls—and fans won’t like this one. Jamal Murray got hit with a foul; no surprise there. But here’s where it gets messy: Norman Powell, Kris Dunn, and Christian Braun all picked up techs.

And speaking of Braun, his emergence this season has become way more than just a side story—especially with Michael Porter Jr. slipping at the wrong time.

Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray need a third wheel

Let’s not forget how the Nuggets pulled off their 2023 title run—it wasn’t just the Jokic and Murray show. They had guys like Bruce Brown, KCP, and Aaron Gordon doing the dirty work. Even Michael Porter Jr. chipped in with key boards and spacing. But now? The team needs that version of him again, and he’s MIA.

Porter’s defensive effort still raises eyebrows, and when the lights get bright in the playoffs, he tends to vanish. Game 1 against the Clippers was another dud—three points, four rebounds, and benched in crunch time. Coach Adelman didn’t dance around it either. He stuck with the guys who played hard. Can’t even blame him.

Porter’s been this way for a minute. Remember the 2023 Finals? He barely cracked double digits. Against the Timberwolves last year? Five games under 10 points. That trend has the front office watching closely. And now, with both Malone and Booth gone and ownership denying they blocked a Porter trade, his future in Denver feels shaky.

Meanwhile, Braun keeps showing up. He brings fire. Peyton Watson? He’s becoming a defensive weapon with real upside. So yeah, there’s competition—and it’s heating up.

Porter’s got the talent. He finished strong in March and looked ready. But if he doesn’t flip the switch soon, Jokic and Murray might have to carry this thing alone. And let’s be honest—come playoff time, that’s just not enough.