Jamal Murray of the Nuggets receives his inaugural selection to the NBA All-Star Game.

DENVER — Nikola Jokic will finally encounter a familiar face at the NBA All-Star Game.

Jamal Murray secured his first career All-Star selection in his ninth season on Sunday. He and Jokic, who was announced as a starter last week, are the first duo of Denver Nuggets teammates chosen for an All-Star Game since 2010, when Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups both received the honor.

“It feels really good,” Jokic remarked. “He’s been performing at an exceptionally high level over the last two years. … It’s great for him to be there because he deserves it.”

Murray mentioned that he was taking a pregame nap when friends video-called him to share the news of his selection to participate in the All-Star game at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, next weekend.

He has consistently stated that if he were to make an All-Star Game, he would approach it with competitiveness and seriousness, implying that he would prefer a vacation over participating in a game that lacks defensive effort and features teams scoring freely.

“I’m ready to play 1-on-1, I don’t mind, I’m just a competitor,” Murray stated. “So I want to be recognized as one of those players who competes hard every time he steps onto the court.”

When asked what his first shot will be next Sunday, Murray humorously replied: “Half-court, full-court.”

How does that align with his serious approach?

“I’m going to make it, though,” he said with a chuckle.

It has been a long-awaited moment for Murray to receive his All-Star invitation, according to Denver coach David Adelman.

“When I saw that, so many thoughts crossed my mind, just numerous 50-point games, multiple 50-point games in the playoffs,” Adelman stated ahead of Denver’s matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder, which they lost 121-111.

“Let’s see, triple-double in the Finals, NBA champion, most wins in the West over the last decade, he’s the point guard of that team, 55-point (game) last year, (career-high) 17 assists (in a game) this year, NBA All-Star,” Adelman continued. “So, in my view, all of those accomplishments make sense, except for the one that was missing. So, perhaps All-NBA, maybe he’ll be considered.”

Murray, 28, is averaging career highs in points (25.8), shooting percentage (49.2), 3-point percentage (44.7), rebounds (4.3), and assists (7.4) this season while guiding the Nuggets through an injury crisis that has sidelined Jokic, Aaron Gordon, Christian Braun, Cam Johnson, and Jonas Valanciunas, among others.

Murray assisted the Nuggets in managing the absence of Jokic for 16 games during which they surprisingly went 10-6 to maintain their position in the Western Conference.

Murray has already surpassed 30 points 13 times this season, exceeding his previous career high of 11, and he is among a select group of players in the league to score 50 or more points in a game this season. He also has 11 games with double-digit assists, marking a career single-season high.

“Well, well, well deserving. He’s playing (incredibly) this year,” Thunder star and fellow Canadian All-Star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander commented on Sunday night.

This will also mark the first occasion that two Canadian players will participate in the NBA All-Star Game.

“For Canadian basketball, it’s just cool,” Gilgeous-Alexander noted. “Growing up, it was never something I imagined.”

Last month, Murray received Western Conference Player of the Week (Dec. 8) honors for the first time in his career, and he and Jokic are two of the five NBA players averaging 25 points, seven assists, and four rebounds per game.

Murray arrived at training camp in improved physical condition this year, and Adelman mentioned that he also came with a sharper mindset.

“Your body is at its best when it’s not just the physical part, it’s your mind,” Adelman explained. “And he’s played the game so smoothly. … I believe it’s his body, but I also think it’s his mind. He’s just playing without any internal conflict. And the guy’s so talented; when he takes what is available to him, great success can follow.

“Everything about him this year has been really enjoyable to watch, and witnessing his growth and having this moment for him, it’s been a long time coming, and he’ll represent our team well in Los Angeles.”

A native of Kitchener, Ontario, Murray was the seventh overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft out of Kentucky.

“I wouldn’t trade him for anyone,” Jokic stated. “Whenever I consider who are the top-5 of my career, he’s definitely No. 1. So, we have an excellent relationship on the court. There are so many great moments – and some challenging ones too – but that’s what creates the good moments. So, it’s a pleasure to have him over there.”