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Nuggets' Murray becomes 1st NBA player to score 50 without free-throw attempt

Jason Miller / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Denver Nuggets star Jamal Murray entered the NBA record books in Friday's 120-103 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Canadian scored a career-high 50 points on 21-of-25 shooting, becoming the first player in league history to reach the half-century mark in a single game without attempting a free throw, according to Elias Sports Bureau.

His 84% mark from the field was the second-most efficient production in a 50-point game in NBA history, per Elias Sports Bureau. Hall of Fame center Wilt Chamberlain scored 53 points on 87% shooting in 1967.

Additionally, Murray's 50-point performance was the most by a Canadian in a regular-season contest, according to Sportsnet Stats. The fourth-year guard also held the previous record, dropping 48 against the Boston Celtics in November 2018.

However, this wasn't the first time Murray went off for 50 points in an NBA game. The Kentucky product registered a pair of 50-point contests during the first round of last year's playoffs.

Murray and running mate Nikola Jokic are now the third pair of teammates age 25 or younger to each score 50 points in a game during the same season, according to ESPN Stats & Info.

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