Denver's Jamal Murray preparing for playoff series against Nickeil Alexander-Walker

The second round of the 2024 NBA playoffs will kick off tonight with the Western Conference semifinal round series between the Minnesota Timberwolves and defending champion Denver Nuggets.

Minnesota swept the Phoenix Suns in the first round, while the Nuggets dispatched LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and the Los Angeles Lakers in five games. This should be a very entertaining series as it pins an exciting Timberwolves team against the defending champs.

Ahead of Game 1, Denver guard Jamal Murray spoke about the matchup and he gave a former Virginia Tech first-round draft pick some love.

Jamal Murray speaks about Nickeil Alexander-Walker matchup

Murray spoke with the media and appears ready to go to battle against Nickeil Alexander-Walker who will likely be matched up on him at times.

"He's always competitive. That's what I love the most. We can go back and forth, talkin', but we know it's all love."

- Jamal Murray

It's likely the two will be teammates for Team Canada at the Summer Olympics this year, but first, they have a second-round matchup where Alexander-Walker will be called upon to try and slow down Murray. Against the Lakers, Murray scored at least 20 points in all five games with a series-high 32 in Game 5.

Not to be outdone, Alexander-Walker had a very good series against the Suns at both ends of the floor. He scored 18 points in Game 1, 10 points in Game 2, 16 in Game 3, and five in the Game 4 win that completed a sweep of Kevin Durant and Phoenix.

This has the potential to be the best second-round matchup the NBA has this spring and there is no doubt that Alxander-Walker and Murray will play a big part in it. Don't be surprised to see this go close to the distance when all is said and done.