The Scandal That Rocked Denver Nuggets Star Jamal Murray's Career

More people than usual will be focused on Jamal Murray as his team, the Denver Nuggets, enter the NBA Finals on June 1. According to ESPN, this game will mark the first time that the Nuggets have ever actually made it to the NBA Finals. Like, ever. Murray, who according to NBA.com plays as a point guard, has been on the team since 2016. Since starting his NBA career, Murray has proven that he earned his spot on the team fair and square, even if he doesn't feel like he gets enough credit. 

"I don't think I get enough respect as I should be," Murray shared with Andscape. "I'm better than a lot of players in the league. Every time I see rankings of guys I think, 'Man, that is crazy.' Maybe it's because I have been out for so long. But if we win the chip, it changes everything." Hopefully, Murray will get the outcome he seeks once the finals start on Thursday.  Either way, he's come a long way since he was involved in a social media incident that nearly ruined his career.

In 2020, Jamal Murray's private sex tape with his girlfriend, Harper Hempel, was posted to his Instagram account. Naturally, people assumed that Murray randomly decided to share the private moment. However, Murray denied responsibility, revealing that someone hacked his personal account. "First and foremost I would like to apologize to my fans," tweeted Murray (via TMZ). "My account has been hacked, currently working on the issue. Thanks." Hempel also asked that fans discard the video. "If you have the video please delete it," Hempel tweeted (via Heavy).

Aside from public embarrassment, Murray seems to have gotten past the incident without facing any consequences, as the NBA never got involved. Social media, however, definitely condemned the star for filming the video. And many didn't seem to buy his hacking story at all. One user tweeted referenced host Maury Povich in a tweet about Murray. "Maury: Jamal Murray, you said your Instagram account was hacked," wrote the fan alongside a lie detector GIF. Another second fan tweeted, "The funniest thing till this day was when jamal murray pretended to be hacked on instagram." Another fan kept things short and sweet, posting, "Hacked..." alongside a skeptical GIF. Murray did have at least one ally, however. "I actually believe that Jamal Murray got hacked. How stupid do you have to be to post that on your instagram story?'" questioned one fan.

Jamal Murray's sex tape may have been controversial, but he once faced an ordeal that legitimately threatened his NBA career. In 2021, Murray tore his left ACL during a game against the Golden State Warriors, per ESPN. Murray's injury was so severe that he worried about his future spot on the team. "[Murray's] first thought was, 'Man are you guys going to trade me? I'm damaged goods,'" shared Denver Nuggets coach Michael Malone with CNN. "I said, 'Hell no. You're ours. We love you, we're going to help you get back and you're going to be a better player for it.'" He continued, "What he's doing in these playoffs is just a reminder of a guy that we drafted seven years ago that has continued to find ways to improve and really show out on the biggest stage of all."

Murray hasn't just thrived on the court, however. He's also made big business moves off the court, such as his partnerships with KFC and NBA Clash. Murry also obviously believes in giving back, as he hosted a Youth Basketball Camp. "Come check out to my Youth Basketball Camp with @flexworkmgt at FieldhouseUSA in Aurora. Only a few spots left," Murray posted to Instagram in September.