By The Numbers: Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray makes history with career-high 50 points

Kyle Irving

By The Numbers: Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray makes history with career-high 50 points image

Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray was having bubble flashbacks in Cleveland on Friday, as the Kitchener, Ontario native exploded for a regular-season career-high 50 points to help his team earn a win over the Cavaliers.

This marked the third 50-point game of Murray's career — the prolific scorer notched 50 points twice in the playoffs last season.

As if pouring in a career-best in scoring wasn't impressive enough, Murray etched his name in both NBA and franchise history with his breakout performance.

Take a closer look at the Canadian's outing by the numbers.

0: How many free throws Jamal Murray attempted

#Murray

Murray paved his own path in NBA history with this feat, becoming the first player in NBA history to score 50 points without a single free throw attempt.

The previous record for fewest free throw attempts in a 50-point game was held by Stephen Curry, who scored 51 points with just one free throw attempt against the Orlando Magic during his unanimous MVP season back in 2016. The next-closest was Curry's teammate Klay Thompson (52 points in 2018) and former All-Star Dana Barros (50 points in 1995) who each attempted just two free throws in their 50-point games.

84.0: Jamal Murray's field goal percentage

Murray-shot-chart

This wasn't only the highest single-game field goal percentage of Murray's career. It also tied the great Wilt Chamberlain for the second-most efficient 50-point game in NBA history. (Chamberlain is also responsible for the most efficient 50-point game in NBA history, scoring 53 points while shooting 87.0 percent from the field against the Seattle Supersonics back in 1967.)

Murray hardly missed in this contest, shooting 21-for-25 from the field and 8-for-10 from 3-point land. According to StatMuse, he became the eighth player in NBA history to reach the 50-point mark while shooting over 80.0 percent from the field. Murray and Kyrie Irving (54 points on 82.6 percent shooting in 2020) are the only players to do so since 1995.

3: How many 50-point games Jamal Murray has

Carmelo Anthony, Denver Nuggets

This was Murray's third-career 50-point game when you include his two 50-point games in the first round of last year's playoffs, which were each historic in their own right.

However, tonight's 50-point game places him alone atop Nuggets franchise history, breaking a four-way tie with Carmelo Anthony, Alex English and Kiki Vandewegh for most 50-point games in franchise history.

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Kyle Irving

Kyle Irving Photo

You read that wrong – not Kyrie Irving. From Boston, graduated from the University of New Hampshire. Sixth season as a content producer for NBA.com's Global editions. Covering the NBA Draft has become his annual "dream come true" moment on the job. Irving has a soft spot for pass-first point guards, with Rajon Rondo and Steve Nash being two of his favorite players of all time.