NBA Roundup: Knicks continue a winning spree as Nuggets and Hawks get things done

Washington DC - The New York Knicks have now won six of their past seven NBA games after Jalen Brunson soared in a 112-108 victory against the Washington Wizards on Friday.

New York Knicks guard Immanuel Quickley (r.) goes for the basket against Washington Wizards center Kristaps Porzingisdefends at Capital One Arena on Friday night.
New York Knicks guard Immanuel Quickley (r.) goes for the basket against Washington Wizards center Kristaps Porzingisdefends at Capital One Arena on Friday night.  © USA TODAY Sports

Brunson, who is averaging career-highs in points (21.9) and assists (6.4) since signing with the Knicks in the offseason, was once again his team's best player.

He scored a team-high 34 points on 12-of-24 shooting with eight rebounds and eight assists, continuing the red-hot form that has seen him average 33.2 points, 5.6 assists and 5.2 rebounds on 52% shooting since the new year began.

Another player in scintillating form since the start of January is Knicks forward Julius Randle, who is now averaging 24.8 points and 14.4 rebounds this month after putting up 23 points (eight-of-19 shooting) and 16 rebounds.

NBA's Joel Embiid to undergo left knee procedure
NBA NBA's Joel Embiid to undergo left knee procedure

The Knicks overcame a terrific performance from Wizards wing Kyle Kuzma, who scored a season-high 40 points on 14-of-27 shooting with seven rebounds and seven assists.

New York are now 24-19, and sit sixth in the Eastern Conference.

Around the league: Denver Nuggets beat the Clippers as the Atlanta Hawks triumph over the Pacers

Los Angeles Clippers forward Marcus Morris Sr. (l.) battled against Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray on Friday while Indiana Pacers forward Isaiah Jackson (r.) and Atlanta Hawks forward Onyeka Okongwu fought for a rebound.
Los Angeles Clippers forward Marcus Morris Sr. (l.) battled against Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray on Friday while Indiana Pacers forward Isaiah Jackson (r.) and Atlanta Hawks forward Onyeka Okongwu fought for a rebound.  © Collage: USA TODAY Sports

The Denver Nuggets showed they can survive without reigning back-to-back MVP Nikola Jokic as they defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 115-103.

It was just the third contest Jokic has missed out of 41 total opportunities, but while on the sidelines nursing a wrist injury he watched Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr pick up the slack.

Murray scored a team-high 24 points on eight-of-17 shooting with eight rebounds and four assists, while Porter had 22 points (nine-of-17) with four rebounds and three assists.

Jaylen Brown, Jalen Brunson, and Damian Lillard among NBA All-Star Skills players
NBA Jaylen Brown, Jalen Brunson, and Damian Lillard among NBA All-Star Skills players

The highlight of the game came courtesy of Clippers star Kawhi Leonard, who dunked on the head of Zeke Nnaji on his way to 24 points (10-of-21) and nine rebounds.

Despite having two All-Stars in their backcourt, the Atlanta Hawks frontcourt came to the rescue in a 113-111 triumph over the Indiana Pacers.

Third-year center Onyeka Okongwu was tremendous with 18 points (nine-of-12 shooting), a career-high 20 rebounds, four assists, four blocks and two steals.

His interior partner, John Collins, was less impactful for the first three quarters, and while he only finished with seven points, he scored the game-winning tip-in with less than a second remaining on the clock.

Cover photo: Collage: USA TODAY Sports

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