Murray scores historic 50 as Nuggets down crumbling Cavs
Denver Nuggets' Jamal Murray (27) drives to the basket against Cleveland Cavaliers' Cedi Osman (16) during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Friday, Feb. 19, 2021, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)CLEVELAND โ Not himself of late, Jamal Murray got a lecture from Nuggets coach Michael Malone about being more aggressive and not passing up open shots. Following the game, Murray was unaware that he had done something unique. โWith the exception of Murray, we took some steps in the right direction,โ Cavs coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. They made their first 12 shots, opened a 22-point lead in the second half and then let Murray close out the Cavs.
NBA says 1 player has tested positive for virus in past week
(AP Photo/Tony Dejak)NEW YORK โ The NBA said one player tested positive for coronavirus in the past week, meaning only two have gotten that diagnosis in the last three weeks. The NBA reported one positive test for the weekly period ending Jan. 26, and no positive tests for the period ending Feb. 3. Minnesotaโs Karl-Anthony Towns โ who has missed 13 games โ tested positive last month and his recovery is complete. The NBA does not reveal which players test positive for COVID-19, but Milwaukeeโs Khris Middleton said earlier this week that Bucks guard Jrue Holiday tested positive for the virus. โThis is nothing to play around with and once he tested positive, you immediately think about his health, his safety and his family back home,โ Middleton said.
Irving returns, but new-look Nets beaten by Cavs in 2 OTs
Cleveland Cavaliers' Larry Nance Jr. (22) steals a pass intended for Brooklyn Nets' Kyrie Irving (11) during the first half of an NBA basketball game, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021, in Cleveland. Sexton scored 15 points in the second OT โ most of them over Irving โ for the Cavs, who outplayed the Nets all night. Before the game, Nets first-year coach Steve Nash admitted being โcuriousโ about how his trio of superstars would align on the floor. In the second quarter, Sexton ran back on defense and cleanly flicked the ball away from Durant as he was going in on a breakaway dunk. Irving's return to the Nets was also just his second game in Cleveland since he was traded by the Cavs after the 2017 season.
Fultz tears ACL, out for season; Magic beat Cavs 105-94
The team confirmed after the game that Fultz tore his ACL. โItโs a huge blow for us,โ said Magic center Nikola Vucevic, whose team also will be without standout forward Jonathan Isaac this season because of an ACL tear. 1 overall pick in the 2017 draft as he led the Magic to a quick start this season. Terrence Ross scored 20 points and hit five 3-pointers to lead the Magic, who beat the Cavaliers for a second time in three nights. Collin Sexton scored 21 points for Cleveland, his eighth straight game with at least 20 points to start the season.