MINNEAPOLIS – The biggest game of the Nuggets’ season is another opportunity for Jamal Murray.

After the best regular season of his 10-year career, Murray has had his fair share of struggles to start another playoff series against the Timberwolves. There’s the 37.5% shooting from the field and a 27.5% mark from 3-point range. He’s committed four turnovers in two of the first five games and struggled in the clutch, where success has been synonymous with his name. Murray went 5 for 14 in the second half of a Game 4, while Minnesota completed a comeback to take a 3-1 lead. He went 3 for 11 after halftime in Denver’s Game 2 loss that ceded home-court advantage.

“This team in particular has a lot of guys that can stay attached to him. I think he’s been consistent with his attitude,” Nuggets coach David Adelman said after a light practice Wednesday at Target Center.

“When things go poorly, like the second half of Game 4, the turnovers, all that kind of thing, Jamal the next day is the same person he’s been the whole season. I do think that’s key.”

There’s not much panic despite the uncharacteristic playoff performance.

“Not much to overthink – go out there, play hard, try to have some joy doing it and try to get the job done. We have to have a good start – no turnovers, match physicality,” Murray said.

“I think the first quarter is going to be super important for us.”

While scoring efficiency has been subpar by Murray’s lofty postseason standards, there have been other positives. He’s grabbed five or more rebounds in the three of the five games and dished out seven assists in Games 1, 2 and 5.

“When you go through really hard times, and the world around you is freaking out, you have to stay consistent. He has done that,” Adelman said.

“Whether he makes shots or misses shots, if he’s playing in space that leads to rotations for them. That leads to pocket (passes) for Nikola Jokic. That leads to Cam Johnson finding wide-open shots from 3. … Jamal just has to stay consistent and not worry about his numbers. It’s the gravity he brings.”

Jaden McDaniels, beloved in Minnesota and public enemy No. 1 in Denver, has again spent most of his time on the defensive end following Murray all across the court. Murray’s four steals in Game 5 helped Denver create some easy offense in transition, though he lamented a couple of turnovers on the break. When asked if the Nuggets need to be more cautious in transition to prevent getting into a track meet with the Timberwolves on their home court on Thursday while facing elimination, Murray didn’t flinch.

“We’re down 3-2. (There’s) no conservative,” Murray said.

“Let it rip.”