The NBA ecosystem is teeming with unique looks, with accessories offering players another platform to showcase their creativity and individuality on the world stage.
Players trot onto the court wearing all sorts of crazy threads. Bald players wear headbands, big men don shooting sleeves, and benchwarmers deck themselves in terry cloth sweatbands.
All told, an NBA court can, at any time, turn into a fashion runway, replete with all the trends one would expect in the apparel industry.
On Monday night, fans were introduced to another. Nuggets guard Jamal Murray was captured sporting a statement piece during Denver’s Game 2 matchup against the Clippers — long sleeves. Here’s why.
📲 Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp
Is Jamal Murray sick for Game 2 vs. Clippers?
Murray didn’t come into Monday’s match listed with any sort of ailment. He wasn’t included in Denver’s injury report and looked in fine fettle during Game 1.
But when he was seen rocking a long sleeve beneath his jersey prior to Game 2’s tipoff, Murray’s condition began to come into question.
TNT’s broadcast confirmed that Murray was facing a bout of an undisclosed sickness. His sleeves were a response to that joust, although Murray does have a history with the eye-catching look.
Jamal Murray brought back the high school long sleeves 🤣🤣🤣 https://t.co/ZMy9wCDMUO pic.twitter.com/IpxT90d9lU
— YSL (@contestedmid) April 22, 2025
Murray’s illness hasn’t prevented him from performing strongly. He tallied a team-high 12 points in the game’s opening 24 minutes, canning four of his first seven shot attempts.
Offenses are flying early in Denver 🔥
Jamal Murray’s triple is one of 5 in the first 6 minutes of action!
LAC-DEN Game 2 on TNT. pic.twitter.com/k5qKxzOSZM
— NBA (@NBA) April 22, 2025
NBA PLAYOFFS HQ: Live NBA scores | NBA playoff schedule | NBA playoff bracket
Ever a showman, Murray even changed his shirt at halftime, spurning the loose fit of his first-half sleeves for what looked a muscle-tee/shooting sleeve collaboration in the second. How memorable.
JAMAL MURRAY & NORMAN POWELL 😳
GETTING CHIPPY IN DENVER 👀 pic.twitter.com/kYb5kvOpFD
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) April 22, 2025
Social media reactions to Jamal Murray’s long sleeves
Murray’s decision to sport the long sleeves was out of necessity. That wasn’t enough to spare him from social media’s ire, however. All across X — the website formerly known as Twitter — basketball enthusiasts clowned the Canadian for his attire, with some likening it to a child masquerading as an NBA player for Halloween and others asserting Murray is paying homage to Maryland big Derik Queen.
Here are some of the internet’s most noteworthy reactions:
jamal murray looks like his mom said he couldn’t go out trick or treating unless he puts a long sleeve on under his nba player costume
— kos (@kostancaaa__) April 22, 2025
Jamal Murray wearing a thick ass shirt under the jersey pic.twitter.com/daESQXbnhQ
— Tedd Buddwell 🏀🏈 (@TedBuddy8) April 22, 2025
aye man jamal murray t shirt is not nba issued attire
he just brought that from the crib and said i’ll take the fine
— Eddie Gonzalez (@bansky) April 22, 2025
Wtf was jamal murray wearing? 😭
— jojo (@Peenoise69) April 22, 2025
jamal murray dressed like how we used to be dressed during christmas break practices because the gym was cold
— Travonne Edwards (@Travonne) April 22, 2025
jamal murray look like he at 24 hr fitness with that shirt on
— Travonne Edwards (@Travonne) April 22, 2025
Jamal Murray looks like he just got done washing cars before the game.
— A Vibe Called Fresh 🏁♍️ (@AshmoFresh) April 22, 2025
Jamal Murray’s setting the standard for what’s to come pic.twitter.com/rsBoovoY9z
— Charles (@BlockedByBamba) April 22, 2025
Jamal Murray stats vs. Clippers
- Points: 23
- Assists: 6
- Rebounds: 2
- Steals: 1
- Blocks: 1
- FG: 9-17
- 3P: 4-8
- FT: 1-1
- TO: 4
Murray played well despite his illness, but it wasn’t enough to get the Nuggets a 2-0 series lead, as L.A. pulled out a nail-biter, 105-102.
