Murray returns and Nuggets regain solo first in West playoff race

In the race for the West’s no. 1 seed, the NBA Champion Denver Nuggets get a huge boost.

 

Jamal Murray returned to the lineup Sunday (PHL), sparking the Nuggets big 142-110 win over the Atlanta Hawks.

 

Murray was among six Nuggets in double figures, as he scored 18 points in his first game back after missing seven games due to a knee injury.

 

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope led the way for Denver with 24 points, Michael Porter Jr. had 20, while Nikola Jokic finished with a triple-double of 19 points, 14 rebounds, and 11 assists.

 

Squad got active tonight 🪣

Jamal: 16 PTS / 3 REB / 6 AST / 1 BLK
KCP: 24 PTS / 2 REB / 1 AST / 2 STL
Joker: 19 PTS / 14 REB / 11 AST / 2 STL
MPJ: 20 PTS / 3 REB / 2 AST / 1 STL
Reggie: 18 PTS / 3 3PM / 5 REB / 3 AST
P-Wat: 13 PTS / 6 REB / 2 AST / 5 BLK pic.twitter.com/IfVPFF6Hof

— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) April 7, 2024

 

 

The win pushed the Nuggets to 54-24, half a game back of the idle Minnesota Timberwolves for no. 1 in the West.

 

Atlanta lost back-to-back games and at 36-42, the Hawks continue to sit at no. 10 in the Eastern Conference.

 

Six players were also in double figures for Atlanta, led by 19 points and 12 rebounds from Clint Capela.