The promising rookie point guard of the Denver Nuggets, Emmanuel Mudiay, returned Sunday and helped the team survive the Charlotte Hornets 95–92 to begin an eight-game home stand on a good note.
Mudiay suffered an ankle injury last month and missed 14 games, before coming back against the Hornets and playing well, even starting the game and also being in action for a team-high 39 minutes.
In that playing stint, the 19-year-old 2015 first-round pick finished as the Nuggets' third leading scorer in the win with 11 points that came along with four rebounds, six assists, two steals, and one block.
"It felt good," Mudiay said about the healed ankle, according to the Denver Post.
"I came back and played. That's the main thing: I just wanted to get out there again and see how I felt, and I felt pretty good," the point guard added.
In 24 games played this season, Mudiay is averaging 10.7 points. 3.5 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and one steal in 29.5 minutes played per contest.
Despite the absence, Mudiay is still the Nuggets fourth leading scorer this season and their leader in the assists department.
Along with Mudiay, another Nugget that played well in the win over Charlotte was the team's leading scorer this season, forward Danilo Gallinari.
Gallinari exploded for 27 points, also having six rebounds, one steal, and one block in 34 minutes of action.
The win improved the Nuggets record to 14–24, but still they are finding it hard to reach the top eight in the Western Conference standings, currently at the 11th spot.
Denver's upcoming games do not get easier as well since they need to face contending teams in their next seven outings at the Pepsi Center.
Following the Hornets, the Nuggets are facing the defending champions Golden State Warriors, Miami Heat, Indiana Pacers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Memphis Grizzlies, Detroit Pistons, and the Atlanta Hawks to complete their home stand.
