Jamal Murray has framed the NBA Cup as an opportunity more than an obsession, stressing that Denver’s mindset does not radically change just because the games carry tournament branding and prize money.

He has spoken about the appeal of a trip to Las Vegas and the competitive atmosphere, but repeatedly returns to the idea that the Nuggets’ job is to “play how you normally play” and avoid turning one group game into outsized pressure.​

That tone reflects a team that still sees itself primarily through the lens of playoff contention and title windows, not early season hype. For Murray, already locked into a contract worth over 200 million dollars, the NBA Cup is a stage to sharpen habits, not a financial lifeline.​

Stakes Are Different Across The Roster

Denver’s situation in West Group C has added tension around Murray’s calm message, with the Nuggets sitting at 2–1 and chasing Portland, which holds the head to head tiebreaker after an October win.

A victory in the group finale against San Antonio is essential to keep Denver in play for either the top spot or the Western Conference wild card into the knockout rounds.​

Where Murray can afford to take the long view, the financial reality is sharper for role players and two way contracts. With NBA Cup champions projected to receive around 500,000 dollars per player and even quarterfinalists collecting meaningful bonuses, Denver’s fringe rotation has every reason to treat this as a rare chance to transform their earning year.​

What This Says About Denver

Murray’s comments fit a pattern from Denver’s core of treating new league wrinkles as secondary to the larger mission of contending around Nikola Jokic.

The Nuggets have leaned on continuity and a proven playoff formula, and that confidence shows when their lead guard talks about making “each game count” without inflating the meaning of any single Cup date.​​

At the same time, the NBA Cup is testing whether that internal standard can coexist with the urgency that this format demands.

If Denver converts Murray’s measured tone into locked in execution and sneaks through a crowded group, the tournament becomes another showcase of a team that expects to be playing for trophies in any setting.