Starting 5: Throwback Tuesday on NBC, Murray drops 45, Celtics spoil Giannis’ return
Stepback Monday. Throwback Tuesday.
Before NBC's throwback broadcast tonight for Spurs-Sixers (8 ET) | Tap to Watch, Jamal Murray delivered a classic scoring clinic for Denver. Here's a recap of the top stories from today's edition:
🏀 1. MONDAY FIRE: MURRAY POPS OFF, CELTICS SPOIL GIANNIS’ RETURN
The Nuggets entered Monday searching for a spark after a two-game skid. Instead, Jamal Murray delivered a full-blown inferno, scoring 45 points, 8 assists, and 8 3s, including 18 points in the 3rd to flip the game. Denver duo, Nikola Jokić added 22 points, 12 boards, and 5 dimes, as they outdueled Keyonte George in a back-and-forth finish. This was Murray's seventh career 45+ point game, matching Carmelo Anthony for the 3rd-most in Nuggets history.
🚀 2. ROUNDUP: ROCKETS CORE COOKS, CLIPS RALLY BACK
In D.C., Houston's quartet took over to hold 3rd in the West. Alperen Sengun and Kevin Durant combined for 62 points, while Amen Thompson and Reed Sheppard shined on both ends. The Clips keep closing the gap in the NBA SoFi Play-In Tournament race out West, with Kawhi Leonard scoring 15 of his team-high 23 points in the 2nd half.
🌟 3. COAST 2 COAST TUESDAY: SPURS AT SIXERS THROWBACK, SUNS VISIT KINGS
Tonight, a blast from the past meets two teams shaping the now. NBC turns back the clock when the Spurs visit the Sixers, featuring a vintage broadcast led by Bob Costas, Doug Collins, and Mike Fratello. This is more than a throwback - it's a duel between two Playoff contenders led by young superstars, Victor Wembanyama and Tyrese Maxey.
🤝 4. ON LEAGUE PASS: EAST ELITE COLLIDE IN CLEVELAND
A battle of beasts approaches in the East, with the Pistons and Cavaliers meeting as 1st and 4th-place teams, respectively. The Cavs have produced a 123.3 OffRtg with Harden and Allen on the floor, while the Wolves aren't just surging up the West standings, they're also climbing John Schuhmann's latest Power Rankings.
🚀 5. POWER RANKINGS SPOTLIGHT: WOLVES KEEP CLIMBING
In the last 22 days, Minnesota has dropped just one game, fueled by a red-hot Anthony Edwards and balance on both ends. Tonight on League Pass, Edwards and the Wolves host the Grizzlies, with Minnesota just a half-game back of Houston for 3rd in the West.
But here's where it gets controversial...
Some may argue that the Celtics' win over the Bucks was more about Boston's dominance than Giannis' return. While Giannis made his presence felt, the Celtics' depth and shooting led to their wire-to-wire win. And this is the part most people miss - the impact of role players like Hugo González, who contributed 18 points and 16 rebounds.
And this is the part most people miss...
The Spurs-Sixers throwback broadcast is more than just a nostalgic trip down memory lane. It's a chance to witness the evolution of two franchises, with young superstars like Wembanyama and Maxey carrying the torch of their legendary predecessors.
