Julian Strawther has but to understand the fact of taking part in alongside two future Corridor of Fame gamers.
Few gamers have had the chance to share the courtroom with iconic figures like Nikola Jokic and Russell Westbrook earlier than, particularly as a 22-year-old skilled who joined a championship-caliber group as a late first-round choose.
Nevertheless, midway by way of the 2024-25 marketing campaign, it is evident that Strawther is not constructed like another second-year professionals within the affiliation.
After dropping a career-high 23 factors in a blowout in opposition to the Philadelphia 76ers earlier this week, Strawther leads all second-year bench gamers in complete factors (415), minutes performed (950) , area objectives (146) and 3-point photographs. executed (68). The 6-foot-7 Las Vegas native can be making 38.2 p.c of his 3-point makes an attempt, which ranks him first amongst all sophomore gamers making an attempt no less than 4 3-pointers per recreation.
23 PTS đź’Ą 5 p.m. 3 p.m. đź’Ą 8/14 FG
Julian Strawther got here off the bench and scored a CAREER HIGHLIGHT within the @nuggets defeat the Sixers! He has scored greater than 18 factors 5 occasions this season. #GLeagueAlum pic.twitter.com/HG6TnNJ5Z0
– NBA G League (@nbagleague) January 22, 2025
Strawther went 5 of 9 from downtown throughout his profession evening and helped the Nuggets to a 144-109 victory over the Sixers on Tuesday. It was the fifth time he completed with 18 or extra factors and his first 20-point outburst of the season.
“It’s as much as my teammates to place me able to succeed,” Strawther mentioned after the match. “They discovered me in areas the place I can hit photographs and begin that second quarter, so large shout out to my guys.”
Strawther, the twenty ninth total choose within the 2023 NBA Draft, appeared to profit from his elevated position as one of many first gamers off the bench for the Denver Nuggets. He scored 9.7 factors whereas taking part in 22.1 minutes, flattening 44.6% of his area purpose makes an attempt and recording 2.2 rebounds and 1.4 assists per recreation.
Strawther’s means to knock down photographs from the skin extra constantly has led to some very intriguing and distinctive play designs from Michael Malone in an try and get extra open seems to be for Strawther. Reverse pick-and-rolls with Aaron Gordon because the playmaker and Strawther because the screener had been efficient at occasions, as had been related units with Jokic rather than Gordon. Having a participant like Westbrook, who dishes out 6.6 assists per recreation, to create open seems to be for others has additionally been tremendously useful to Strawther’s improvement.
Yeah, Denver actually may have discovered one thing with this Aaron Gordon-Julian Strawther reverse PnR.
Gordon drives, attracts two defenders and kicks Julian for 3. Reverse PnRs put defenders in such unfamiliar positions. pic.twitter.com/3asCGsOGBG
– Matt Brooks (@MattBrooksNBA) January 22, 2025
“These guys have faith in me to make photographs,” Strawther mentioned. “These guys all have faith in me to place the ball within the basket, so I imply, when Nikola Jokic is rooting so that you can get one, it’s important to go for it.”
“Each evening once I go residence and watch the sport, I notice I am sharing the ground with Russell Westbrook and Nikola Jokic. It is type of loopy.”
Strawther returns to motion Thursday at 6 p.m. PT, when the Nuggets (27-16) host one other one. Gonzaga outstanding, Domantas Sabonis and the Sacramento Kings (23-20) on the Ball Enviornment in Denver, Colorado.
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