Murray’s 45, Young’s 43, and Antetokounmpo's Triple-Double Lead Nugget, Hawk, Buck Victories

Seven games were on Tuesday’s association slate, with Trae Young and Giannis Antetokounmpo delivering performances worthy of their star makeup, and Jamal Murray resurrecting himself with a big performance of his own. 

Murray poured in 45 points with 6 assists on 18-for-26 shooting (5-for-9 from deep) in the Nuggets’ 118-99 win in Dallas. Murray’s output was a season high, besting the 34 points he put up on December 28 against the Detroit Pistons. The Nuggets, who improved to 24-15 with the win, needed Murray’s performance in a game where Nikola Jokic had a low scoring output (10 points, 4-for-7) but did have 14 rebounds and 10 assists for yet another triple-double, his 16th of the season. Michael Porter Jr. was 3-for-4 from downtown for 10 points, while Russell Westbrook was just 3-for-11 with 9 points. 

For the Mavericks (22-18), Kyrie Irving, playing his first game in 13 days, was just 4-for-18 shooting for 11 points. Naji Marshall was 5-for-8 for 11 points while Daniel Gafford put up a team-high 13 points (5-for-8) off the bench. Klay Thompson was 3-for-8 with 8 points. 

Trae Young’s 43 were a season-high for him in the Hawks’ 122-117 win over the Phoenix Suns. Young was just 13-for-31 from the field but shot 6-for-12 from downtown. Onyeka Okongwu, in 28 minutes off the bench, had a monster game with 22 points and 21 rebounds. Devin Booker’s 35 points (12-for-23, 7-for-14), 5 rebounds, and 5 assists led the Suns while Kevin Durant put up 31 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists on 13-for-20 shooting. The Hawks improved to 20-19 while the Suns dropped under .500 at 19-20. 

Giannis Antetokounmpo’s 33 points, 13 assists, and 11 rebounds (14-for-23) accounted for his 50th career triple-double in the Bucks’ 130-115 win over the Sacramento Kings. Damian Lillard added 24 and Brook Lopez 21 (both on 8-for-15 from the field) as the Bucks (21-17) shot 38 percent from deep (Lillard 5-for-8, Lopez 3-for-7). The Kings were led by DeMar DeRozan’s 28, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists on 9-for-18, while De’Aaron Fox (9-for-23) had 20 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 assists. Domantis Sabonis had a near triple-double with 16 points, 10 rebounds, and 9 assists on 6-for-9. Keon Ellis added 18 points on 5-for-11 for the 20-20 Kings, who had won seven consecutive games coming into Tuesday’s contest. The Bucks improved to 21-17. 

Around the League

Cavaliers 127 (34-5)

Pacers 117 (22-19) 

Mitchell: 35 PTS, 9 REB, 3 AST (12-for-23 FG, 3-for-9 3PT, 8-for-8 FT)

Garland: 24 PTS, 7 AST (9-for-18 FG, 2-for-8 3PT) 

Mobley: 22 PTS, 13 REB (8-for-12 FG, 3-for-4 3PT)

Siakam: 23 PTS, 7 REB, 4 AST (10-for-16 FT) 

Mathurin: 19 PTS, 4 REB (8-for-12 FG) 

Turner: 17 PTS, 5 REB (5-for-11 FG) 

---

Thunder 118 (33-6) 

76ers 102 (15-23) 

Gilgeous-Alexander: 32 PTS, 9 AST (12-for-15 FG, 7-for-8 FT)

Williams: 24 PTS, 6 AST (8-for-15 FG)

Wallace: 18 PTS (7-for-10 FG) 

Justin Edwards: 25 PTS, 6 REB, 4 AST (9-for-16 FG, 4-for-9 3PT) 

Yabusele: 17 PTS, 7 REB, 4 AST (6-for-9 FG) 

Dowtin Jr.: 18 PTS (7-for-14 FG) 

---

Pelicans 119 (9-32) 

Bulls 113 (18-22) 

Murphy III: 32 PTS, 6 REB, 4 AST (9-for-20 FG, 12-for-12 FT) 

Williamson: 21 PTS, 9 AST, 7 REB (10-for-14 FG) 

LaVine: 25 PTS, 7 REB, 5 AST (10-for-22 FG, 4-for-6 3PT)

Vucevic: 22 PTS, 15 REB (10-for-16 FG) 

White: 22 PTS (8-for-17 FG) 

---

Nets 132 (14-26) 

Trail Blazers 114 (13-26) 

Cam Johnson: 24 PTS (10-for-18 FG) 

Keon Johnson: 20 PTS (7-for-12 FG) 

Clowney: 20 PTS, 5 REB (7-for-10 FG, 4-for-7 3PT) 

Henderson: 39 PTS (career-high), 6 AST (13-for-18 FG, 8-for-10 3PT) 

Camara: 23 PTS, 5 REB (7-for-21 FG) 

Sharpe: 21 PTS (9-for-17 FG) 

---