Jamal Murray scored 45 points as the Denver Nuggets edged the Utah Jazz 128-125 on Monday night, even as the Boston Celtics overcame the return of Giannis Antetokounmpo to defeat the Milwaukee Bucks 108-81. The games were part of a ten-game slate highlighted by NBC’s throwback broadcast of the San Antonio Spurs at Philadelphia 76ers matchup.
Murray’s performance, which included 17 points in the first half and 28 in the second, proved crucial for the Nuggets, who were on a two-game skid. He sealed the victory with go-ahead free throws with 32 seconds remaining. Nikola Jokić added 22 points, 12 rebounds and 5 assists for Denver, contributing to the team’s final 16 points alongside Murray. This marked Murray’s seventh career game with 45 or more points, trailing only Jokić (12) and Alex English (8) in Nuggets history.
“It was a Jamal night,” said Nuggets coach David Adelman after the game. “I love these nights as he has these in him. He can take over a game … and that’s what we needed.”
In Boston, Giannis Antetokounmpo returned after missing over five weeks with a calf strain, scoring 19 points and grabbing 11 rebounds in 25 minutes. However, the Celtics proved too strong, led by Payton Pritchard’s 25 points, 9 assists, and 5 three-pointers, and a strong performance from rookie Hugo González, who recorded 18 points, 16 rebounds, 3 steals, and 2 blocks. The Celtics were without Jaylen Brown due to illness.
The Celtics’ win was their seventh in eight games, improving their record to 12-2 since January 30th. Boston currently leads the league in Offensive Rating (120.3) and has allowed an NBA-best 96.4 points per game during its recent surge, nearly ten points fewer than the next closest team.
Elsewhere, the Houston Rockets saw a combined 62 points from Alperen Sengun (32 points, 13 rebounds) and Kevin Durant (30 points, 7 rebounds) in a 123-118 victory over the Washington Wizards. Amen Thompson and Reed Sheppard too contributed significantly, with Thompson scoring 22 points and grabbing 12 rebounds, and Sheppard adding 19 points, 10 assists, 6 steals, and 2 blocks. The Clippers rallied from a 17-point deficit to defeat the Golden State Warriors 114-101, with Kawhi Leonard scoring 23 points and the team’s reserves contributing 52 points, including 17 from Bennedict Mathurin and 12 from Darius Garland in his Clippers debut.
Tonight’s schedule features a throwback broadcast on NBC with the Spurs visiting the Sixers, featuring Bob Costas, Doug Collins, and Mike Fratello. The game highlights a matchup between two playoff contenders led by young stars Victor Wembanyama of San Antonio and Tyrese Maxey of Philadelphia. Both players are achieving record-breaking production, with Wembanyama becoming the first player since Tim Duncan to reach 1,000 points, 500 rebounds, and 125 blocks through his first 45 games, and Maxey surpassing Allen Iverson for the most three-pointers in Sixers history.
“AI is someone we’ve all looked up to,” said Maxey. “Who I’ve looked up to being a little guard. To be able to pass him in anything in basketball – that’s cool.”
The Suns will also be in action, visiting the Kings in Sacramento, seeking a win despite the absence of Devin Booker and Dillon Brooks. The Phoenix team has been relying on Grayson Allen, Collin Gillespie, and Jalen Green, who are combining for 54.6 points per game over the last five outings.
On League Pass, the Detroit Pistons, currently first in the Eastern Conference, will face the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Pistons, led by Cade Cunningham and Jalen Duren, and the Cavaliers, featuring James Harden and Jarrett Allen, are both aiming for playoff success. LeBron James is 11 field goals away from passing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most in NBA history.
