Jamal Murray scores 52 points with insane efficiency as the Nuggets win, while Giannis Antetokounmpo exits early with an injury in the Bucks’ comeback victory
LOS ANGELES: Jamal Murray poured in 52 points to propel the Denver Nuggets to a 135-120 NBA victory over the Indiana Pacers.
Murray, questionable to start after a recent ankle sprain, was lethal from three-point range, connecting on 10 of 11 attempts.
He made 19 of his 25 shots overall in his fifth career 50-point game.
“I hope people understand, it’s not the 52 points, it’s the 19 of 25, 10 for 11 from three,” Nuggets coach David Adelman said.
Nikola Jokic added 24 points, eight rebounds and 13 assists for the Nuggets, who closed the second quarter on a 22-3 run.
Denver has now won eight consecutive road games after losing their last four at home.
The Milwaukee Bucks erased an early 18-point deficit to beat the Detroit Pistons 113-109.
The win came despite the early exit of two-time MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo, who went down without contact in the third minute.
He walked off the court but was ruled out with an initial diagnosis of a right calf strain.
Bucks coach Doc Rivers said Antetokounmpo was sent for an MRI but the team did not believe he suffered an Achilles injury.
The injury sparked more uncertainty amid trade speculation about the Greek star’s future with the team.
Kevin Porter Jr. scored 26 points and AJ Green scored 11 of his 19 in the fourth quarter to fuel the comeback.
“It was a hell of a win,” Rivers said of the character shown by his team.
The San Antonio Spurs held off the Orlando Magic 114-112 despite being without Victor Wembanyama and Stephon Castle.
De’Aaron Fox scored 31 points, including go-ahead free throws with 1.4 seconds remaining.
Franz Wagner led Orlando with 25 points, but his last-chance layup was blocked by Luke Kornet.
The Los Angeles Clippers snapped a five-game skid with a 115-92 win over the Atlanta Hawks.
James Harden scored 27 points with nine assists, and Kawhi Leonard added 21 points in the victory.
The win came hours after the team confirmed its sudden parting with veteran guard Chris Paul. – AFP
