Jamal Murray earns first All-Star berth after career year

Jamal Murray earned his first NBA All-Star selection in his ninth season after posting career highs and helping the Denver Nuggets through several injuries; the All-Star Game is next weekend in Inglewood.

Jamal Murray earned his first NBA All-Star selection in his ninth season. He has posted career highs this year while taking on an expanded role as the Nuggets navigated multiple injuries. Coach David Adelman noted Murray's scoring outbursts, playoff performances and improved all-around play when discussing the milestone. The All-Star Game is scheduled for next weekend at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. Key points: - Murray was named to his first NBA All-Star Game in his ninth season. - He is averaging career highs this season: 25.8 points, 49.2% shooting, 44.7% from three, 4.3 rebounds and 7.4 assists. - Nikola Jokić was named a starter last week, and Murray and Jokić are the first pair of Nuggets teammates selected to an All-Star Game since 2010. - Murray helped Denver manage a 16-game absence by Jokić, during which the team went 10-6. - He won Western Conference Player of the Week (Dec. 8), was the seventh overall pick in the 2016 draft, and is a native of Kitchener, Ontario. Summary: Murray's All-Star selection reflects a season of career-best statistics and an expanded leadership role as the Nuggets dealt with injuries. He is scheduled to participate in the All-Star Game next weekend in Inglewood.