BBNBA: Jamal Murray stuns Devin Booker; Tyrese Maxey performs in loss

Kentucky fans, avert your eyes.

Thursday night in the NBA was not kind to former UK talent. In the two playoff games, two of the three teams with former Wildcats suffered losses. Let’s start with the less heartbreaking of the two.

Tyrese Maxey’s performance isn’t enough

Tyrese Maxey isn’t to blame for the Philadelphia 76ers’ heartwrenching 95-86 loss to the Boston Celtics in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. The third-year star dropped 26 points, five rebounds and three assists while shooting 9-20 (45%) from the floor.

This is Maxey’s second stellar performance in a row. The 6-foot-2 guard had a breakout Game 5 against Boston, where he dropped a team-high 30 points. At just 22 years old, Maxey already has scored 25 or more points in a playoff game eight times.

Despite his astounding personal accolades, Maxey has one focus: winning. While ending the series on home turf would’ve been nice, Maxey isn’t afraid of marching into enemy territory.

“It’s going to be a war,” Maxey said after the Game 6 loss. “If I have to go to war on the road, Game 7, Boston, I would want to go with this group. I know we got some fighters. I know we got some resilient guys. I’m ready to get it on.”

Tyrese Maxey is ready for war in Game 7😤

“If I have to go to war, on the road, Game 7 in Boston, I want to go with this group.” pic.twitter.com/w425xp0Y7c

— Pick Swap Media (@PickSwapMedia) May 12, 2023

Devin Booker’s season comes to a lackluster end

Not every former Kentucky star will get the chance to fight again this season. On Thursday evening, the Phoenix Suns’ season came to a depressing close as the Denver Nuggets pulled off a blowout 125-100 Game 6 victory.

Devin Booker was a shell of himself in the defeat. The guard, who had been the best player in the playoffs, scored a mere 12 points in 36 minutes. The underwhelming showing is hauntingly similar to Booker’s 11-point performance in the Suns’ Game 7 loss to the Mavericks last season.

Luka Doncic last year. Nikola Jokic this year.

For the second year in a row, Devin Booker and the Suns go down in embarrassing fashion to a European superstar and his team 😬 pic.twitter.com/oIGtAn7HVd

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPointsApp) May 12, 2023

Thankfully, we have at least one ‘Cat who had sweet dreams on Thursday night. Jamal Murray contributed 26 points, four rebounds and four assists in the Nuggets’ triumph.

The 6-foot-3 sniper’s performance is even more impressive when you realize he was initially questionable for the game due to illness. Thanks to Murray’s performance, the Nuggets will return to the Western Conference Finals for the first time since 2020.

Jamal Murray tonight:

26 PTS
4 REB
4 AST
4 STL
4 3P

Top 5 all-time in playoff points, assists and 3-pointers by a Nugget. pic.twitter.com/1nTpOjZrEI

— StatMuse (@statmuse) May 12, 2023

5/11/2023 Statistics

Player	Score	PTS	FG (3PT)	REB	AST	STL	BLK	TO	+/-	MIN
Jamal Murray (DEN)	125-100 W @ PHX	26	7-16 (4-7)	4	4	4	0	3	+6	35
Tyrese Maxey (PHI)	95-86 L vs. BOS	26	9-20 (3-9)	5	3	3	0	0	+1	40
Devin Booker (PHX)	125-100 L vs. DEN	12	4-13 (1-3)	1	8	1	1	2	-27	36

Tonight in the NBA

Eastern Conference Semifinals
7:30 (ESPN): No. 8 Heat (Adebayo, Herro: out) @ No. 5 Knicks (Quickley, Randle) | MIA leads 3-2

Western Conference Semifinals
10:00 (ESPN): No. 7 Lakers (Davis, Gabriel, Vanderbilt) @ No. 6 Warriors | LAL leads 3-2