‘Support has been crazy back home,’ Murray reacts to local watch parties

Jamal Murray reacts to watch parties in Kitchener during NBA Finals. June 1, 2023.

By CityNews Staff

Posted May 31, 2023 05:56:52 AM.

Last Updated Jun 1, 2023 11:56:26 AM.

Carl Zehr Square in downtown Kitchener is getting some special lights for a special celebration.

The area outside Kitchener City Hall will be lit blue and gold starting Thursday night, as our community cheers on hometown basketball star Jamal Murray in the NBA Finals.

The city is hosting watch parties to cheer on the Denver Nuggets star and his team, as they tip-off their series with the Miami Heat Thursday night. It is both Denver’s and Murray’s first NBA finals.

The first viewing party will go at Bobby O’Brien’s in downtown Kitchener, it includes live entertainment starting at 7 p.m. and those attending will get to view a 20-foot chalk mural of Murray displayed on the road in front of the Irish pub, created by local artist Morag Webster.

Game 2, on Sunday, June 4, will also be held at Bobby O’Brien’s.

The celebration will shift to the Stanley Park Community Centre for Game 3 on Wednesday, June 7, starting at 8:30 p.m.

Locations and times for the remainder of the series have not yet been determined.

When asked about what this local supports means to him, fist-pumping and smiling, Murray tells Sportsnet, “Support has been crazy back home, and that means a lot from a small town like Kitchener.”

Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic says this is a really exciting time for our community.

“It’s so exciting to witness the incredible journey of our very own Jamal Murray as he represents Kitchener in the NBA Finals. His remarkable talent, hard work and unwavering spirit are an inspiration to all of us in Kitchener, especially our youth.”

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