Lakers News: Team USA’s Biggest FIBA Competitor Losing Best Player

A crushing blow for his country...

One of the NBA's best players has opted out of playing against Team USA and other international squads after bowing out of the tournament early this week. 

Canadian star and Denver Nugget Jamal Murray opted out of playing in the upcoming tournament citing a draining NBA campaign as the reason for his withdrawal. 

Jamal Murray is expected to miss the FIBA World Cup, per @CanBball. pic.twitter.com/0PQzfKoJqK

— Legion Hoops (@LegionHoops) August 16, 2023

Murray was resurgent in 2023 after missing all of 2022 with an ACL tear. The point guard proved once again that he's one of the league's best playoff risers after getting his feet under him in the regular 82 game slate. 

Fully healthy for the first time in two playoff seasons, the Nuggets conquered the playoff gauntlet, including the Lakers en route to their first title in franchise history. 

Making history for his scoring and passing prowess, Murray paired with Serbian superstar Nikola Jokic to win Denver the NBA title. 

While it's a shame that Austin Reaves and the rest of Team USA won't get a crack at facing Murray for his nation, it's understandable that the young star would want to sit out the tournament to focus on a possible Finals repeat. 

Hitting clutch shot and making every right pass, Murray was untouchable for a majority of the Nuggets' dominant run to the championship. 

Reaves and his own NBA team are surely thinking of revenge as both LA and Denver appear poised to be in the playoff picture in 2024 once more. 

Unable to make good on revenge for their respective countries, Reaves will have to settle for hoping the Lakers can take it to Denver this time around should the two meet in the playoffs. 

It's unclear when Murray will face Reaves next, but whenever it is, we'll be sure to keep a keen eye out for the guards duking it out no matter the stakes. 

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