Coming off a tough bashing against the Philadelphia 76ers, the Atlanta Hawks now brace themselves for a clash against the defending champions, the Denver Nuggets. This time, they have Trae Young in their lineup. They strongly felt his impactful presence in the closing moments against Philly. The Nuggets, on the other hand, enter the game on a three-game losing streak, desperately seeking a victory. Luckily, they have the clutch mindset of Jamal Murray back in the lineup. They set the stage for a high-scoring showdown with late-game intensity that could tilt in favor of either team.

The Hawks soared into the game, making a statement with a 36-point first quarter. However, as the Nuggets attempted to match their intensity, they encountered a slight hiccup. Their returning star, Jamal Murray, appeared to be grappling with another injury.

Jamal Murray gives an injury scare

Just minutes into the game and with the first-quarter buzzer still several minutes away, it looked like Jamal Murray experienced a left ankle roll.

Adding to the challenge, Murray is recovering from an injury suffered in the first week of November. As it happened, the Denver Nuggets embarked on a tiring and grueling road trip, consistently revealing their need for Murray’s expertise on the court.

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Fortunately for the Nuggets, Murray swiftly reentered the game and helped them into a halftime lead.

Murray shakes off ankle sprain in fashion, leads in win

In a 129-122 victory, the game marked Jamal Murray’s third appearance following an ankle injury. Making a spectacular reentry in the second quarter, Murray showcased an impressive shooting display. He shot the ball with 80% accuracy from both the field and beyond the three-point line. He finished with 12-15 from the floor, including 4-5 from three, while leading the team with 29 points. Moreover, his contributions extended to the other side of the floor as he grabbed 9 rebounds and secured 2 blocks alongside his 4 assists.

The positive news for the Nuggets didn’t end there. Aaron Gordon showcased a return to his scoring ways and notched a double-double. He scored 17 points and added 12 rebounds. Additionally, rookie Julian Strawther emerged as a spark when needed the most. Trailing into halftime, the rookie drained five consecutive threes to score 19 of his 22 points before the buzzer. Strawther also took care of the defensive floor with 4 steals.

Adding to the triumph, the Nuggets’ former MVP, Nikola Jokic, shed his shooting struggles. He efficiently went 9-13 from the field, delivering a near triple-double. Dominating the Hawks’ frontcourt throughout the entire game, Jokic amassed 25 points, 9 assists, and 8 rebounds.

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