BBNBA: Jamal Murray Scores Season-High 34 in Nuggets Win
Returning to action earlier this season after missing 18 months due to an ACL tear, the “Blue Arrow” is officially back.
Jamal Murray scored a season-high 34 points Monday night in Denver’s 122-109 over the Anthony Davis-less Los Angeles Lakers. Murray led the team in scoring and knocked down five of his nine three-point attempts. In 33 games played this season, Murray is averaging 18.5 PPG, 5.3 APG, and 3.9 RPG, all slightly above his career averages.
The Denver Nuggets are currently tied atop the Western Conference alongside the Ja Morant-led Memphis Grizzlies. When Murray has been healthy, he and two-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic form one of the most lethal one-two punches in the entire league. Denver currently sits second in the NBA in ORTG (117.8), just behind the league-leading Boston Celtics (117.9).
Randle, Quickley Combine for 48 Points in Loss to Bucks
In his first 33 games off the bench this season, Immanuel Quickley averaged 10.2 PPG. Since New York head coach Tom Thibodeau permanently inserted IQ into the starting lineup on December 27th, Quickley is averaging 18 PPG. The Knicks have thrived with Quickley on the court this season, as he sports a 14.0 PER and holds 2.5 WS.
Going into Monday night’s matchup against the Milwaukee Bucks, the Knicks were riding a four-game winning streak. That streak was snapped, but things still look promising in the Big Apple. Quickley continued his hot streak, scoring 23 points on 9-14 shooting. Julius Randle continued his All-Star caliber season, pouring in 25 points and 16 rebounds. Over New York’s last 20 games, Randle is averaging 27.7 PPG (11th in the NBA) and 11.8 RPG (4th in NBA), most definitely good enough for some All-Star votes.
Although 2x NCAA champion Jalen Brunson scored a career-high 44 points as well, the Bucks held off the Knicks at Madison Square Garden for a 111-107 victory.
Other BBNBA Notes:
- The Kings continued to “beam” with joy after a 136-111 blowout over the lowly Orlando Magic. Trey Lyles and Malik Monk both scored 14 points, and De’Aaron Fox came one assist shy of his seventh double-double of the season (11 points, nine assists). Sacramento is currently 21-18 and sits fifth in the Western Conference. The Kings are looking for their first playoff berth since 2006.
- Anthony Davis will reportedly begin the ramp-up process to work towards a return this week. The 8x All Star hasn’t played since December 16th due to a foot injury.
1/9/2022 Statistics
| Player | Score | PTS | FG (3PT) | REB | AST | STL | BLK | TO | MIN | +/- |
| Jamal Murray (DEN) | 122-109 W vs LAL | 34 | 13-29 (5-9) | 7 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 36 | +3 |
| Julius Randle (NYK) | 107-111 L vs MIL | 25 | 9-29 (1-12) | 16 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 40 | +2 |
| Immanuel Quickley (NYK) | 107-111 L vs MIL | 23 | 9-14 (3-6) | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 43 | +5 |
| Malik Monk (SAC) | 136-111 W vs ORL | 14 | 6-11 (0-4) | 7 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 26 | +16 |
| Trey Lyles (SAC) | 136-111 W vs ORL | 14 | 4-8 (3-5) | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | +9 |
| De’Aaron Fox (SAC) | 136-111 W vs ORL | 11 | 5-14 (1-7) | 2 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 29 | +19 |
| Wenyen Gabriel (LAL) | 109-122 L @ DEN | 9 | 4-6 (1-1) | 5 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 19 | -8 |
| Anthony Davis (LAL) | 109-122 L @ DEN | DNP-Foot | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Keldon Johnson (SAS) | 113-121 L @ MEM | DNP-Hammy | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
Tonight in the NBA:
7:00: Pistons (Diallo, Knox, Noel) @ 76ers (Maxey)
7:30 (TNT): Thunder (Gilgeous-Alexander) @ Heat (Adebayo, Herro)
7:30: Hornets (Washington) @ Raptors
9:00: Cavaliers @ Jazz (Vanderbilt)
10:00 (TNT): Suns (Booker) @ Warriors
10:00: Magic @ Trailblazers (Sharpe)
10:30: Mavericks @ Clippers (Boston, Wall)
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