Julian Strawther scores 25 to help Nuggets win NBA Summer League finale
The Denver Nuggets earned their second Summer League win in as many days behind the efforts of their top selection in last month's NBA draft.
Julian Strawther, who was drafted 29th overall, poured in a team-high 25 points and nine rebounds to lead the Nuggets to an 89-86 victory on Saturday at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.
The former Gonzaga men's basketball wing shot 8-for-16 from the field, 5-for-11 from deep and 4-for-6 from the free-throw line en route to his third consecutive 20-point outing. He scored 21 points in Wednesday's loss to the Utah Jazz and 23 points in Friday's win over the Miami Heat.
In what marked Denver's final Summer League contest, Strawther utilized his deep bag of scoring tricks. He showed off his shooting range in the first quarter, connecting on a pair of 3-pointers to help the Nuggets build a 21-9 lead.
Strawther attacked the rim more often in the second quarter, including when he flipped a layup over two defenders with two minutes remaining before halftime.
The third quarter saw Strawther bury another 3-pointer on a spot-up jump shot from the right wing. He ended the period with a contested floater as Denver's lead grew to 70-54.
The Knicks opened the fourth quarter on an 11-0 scoring run to cut their deficit to two points with just under seven minutes remaining. The Nuggets responded on the next play with a 3-pointer from Strawther in the left corner to make it a two-possession game.
New York pulled ahead two minutes later after QJ Peterson nailed a 29-foot 3-pointer. Both teams traded buckets back and forth before Strawther made a free throw with four seconds left to give Denver an 89-86 lead. Peterson missed a 3-pointer as the final buzzer sounded, securing the Nuggets' win.
Strawther averaged 18.2 points and 4.6 rebounds in 28.9 minutes per game across five Summer League matchups. The Nuggets posted a 2-3 record.
Denver has yet to announce its preseason schedule, but exhibitions are expected to take place in early October. The regular season begins on October 24.
