Jamal Murray’s Career-High 55 Points Powers Nuggets to Eighth Consecutive Victory
Jamal Murray delivered a career-defining performance on Wednesday night, erupting for a personal-best 55 points to lead the Denver Nuggets to a commanding 132-121 victory over the Portland Trail Blazers. With this win, the defending champions extended their winning streak to eight games, solidifying their position as a top contender in the Western Conference.
Murray’s 55-point outburst now ranks as the third-highest single-game scoring performance in Nuggets franchise history, trailing only David Thompson’s iconic 73-point performance in 1978 and Nikola Jokic’s 56-point explosion earlier this season. 
The 26-year-old guard was nearly unstoppable, shooting an efficient 20-of-36 from the field, including 7-of-15 from beyond the arc. He showcased his offensive versatility with a mix of deep three-pointers, acrobatic finishes at the rim, and mid-range daggers. His relentless scoring kept the Trail Blazers’ defense scrambling throughout the night.
Supporting Murray’s historic effort, Nikola Jokic posted yet another triple-double, finishing with 26 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 assists. Christian Braun also made a significant impact, contributing 21 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists in an all-around performance.
For the Trail Blazers, Anfernee Simons led the way with 26 points, while rookie center Donovan Clingan recorded a career-high 20 rebounds to go with 17 points. Jabari Walker added 17 points, but Portland couldn’t keep pace with the Nuggets’ offensive firepower, dropping their third straight game after previously riding a six-game winning streak.
Knicks Outlast Hawks in Record-Setting Overtime Thriller
Over in New York, basketball fans witnessed a historic showdown as the Knicks edged the Atlanta Hawks 149-148 in overtime—marking the highest-scoring game of the NBA season.
Jalen Brunson played hero for the Knicks, sinking a clutch go-ahead jumper with 11 seconds left in overtime. Karl-Anthony Towns led New York’s scoring efforts with a dominant 44-point, 10-rebound performance, while Brunson chipped in with 36 points and eight assists.
The Hawks nearly stole the game behind Trae Young’s 38 points and 19 assists, but their rally fell short despite Georges Niang’s three-pointer forcing overtime in the final seconds of regulation.
Short-Handed Bucks Hold Off Timberwolves in Gritty Battle
Playing without their superstar duo of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, the Milwaukee Bucks found a way to grind out a hard-fought 103-101 victory against the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Brook Lopez sealed the win with two clutch free throws in the final 10.9 seconds. Anthony Edwards led Minnesota with 28 points but struggled with his efficiency, making just 10-of-33 attempts from the field. Naz Reid and Rudy Gobert each posted double-doubles, but the Timberwolves failed to capitalize on their defensive stops in crunch time.
Tatum Leads Celtics to Comfortable Win Over Spurs
Jayson Tatum put on a masterclass for the Boston Celtics, scoring 32 points while adding 14 rebounds and seven assists to propel his team to a 116-103 victory over the San Antonio Spurs. Kristaps Porzingis complemented Tatum’s efforts with 29 points of his own.
San Antonio, despite a valiant effort from rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama, who tallied 17 points and 13 rebounds, couldn’t complete a late comeback after trailing by as many as 24 points.
More NBA Action: Key Highlights
- Indiana Pacers 134, Washington Wizards 130 (OT) – Obi Toppin came off the bench to drop 31 points and 10 rebounds as the Pacers survived a 42-point explosion from Jordan Poole.
- Houston Rockets 119, Phoenix Suns 111 – Tari Eason’s 25 points and Amen Thompson’s triple-double powered the Rockets past a Suns squad missing key players.
- Orlando Magic 102, Charlotte Hornets 86 – Paolo Banchero led Orlando with 24 points as the Magic dominated a LaMelo Ball-less Hornets team.
- Cleveland Cavaliers 131, Toronto Raptors 108 – Donovan Mitchell scored 21 points to lead the Cavaliers to their fourth straight win.
- Oklahoma City Thunder 115, Miami Heat 101 – The Thunder erased a 21-point deficit with a game-changing 24-0 run in the fourth quarter, fueled by Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 32 points.
- Brooklyn Nets 100, Philadelphia 76ers 96 – D’Angelo Russell’s 22 points helped Brooklyn take advantage of an injury-depleted Sixers lineup missing Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.
- Detroit Pistons 128, Chicago Bulls 110 – Cade Cunningham dropped 29 points as the Pistons secured their fourth straight victory.
- Sacramento Kings 119, New Orleans Pelicans 111 – Keon Ellis led the Kings with 27 points, countering Zion Williamson’s dominant 33-point effort.
- Utah Jazz 131, Los Angeles Lakers 119 – Lauri Markkanen’s 32 points snapped the Lakers’ six-game win streak.
- Dallas Mavericks 111, Golden State Warriors 107 – Kyrie Irving torched the Warriors with 42 points, outdueling Stephen Curry’s 25.
- Los Angeles Clippers 128, Memphis Grizzlies 114 – Kawhi Leonard led the way with 25 points, while James Harden moved up to 13th place on the NBA’s all-time scoring list.
As the NBA season heats up, these thrilling matchups continue to shape the playoff picture, with star performances lighting up the league every night.
