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The Naismith Notes: Jamal Murray in a Groove, Aaliyah Edwards Reaching New Highs
Jamal Murray has found his groove. After a 25-point, eight-rebound, 12-assist performance in a 120-107 Denver Nuggets victory against the Portland Trail Blazers, Murray followed with 26 points in a 128-125 overtime victory against the Phoenix Suns in a Christmas Day thriller.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Himal <a href="https://t.co/GTmkdG7zUx">pic.twitter.com/GTmkdG7zUx</a></p>— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) <a href="https://twitter.com/nuggets/status/1607272036266827776?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 26, 2022</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
With the game on the line, Murray drilled back-to-back three-pointers down the stretch and then tied the game on a driving dunk with 11 seconds remaining in regulation to force overtime.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="zxx" dir="ltr"><a href="https://t.co/wLI7Becag1">pic.twitter.com/wLI7Becag1</a></p>— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) <a href="https://twitter.com/nuggets/status/1607260028293238784?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 26, 2022</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Two days later, Murray had 25 points, five rebounds, seven assists and two steals in a 113-106 win against the Sacramento Kings. To put it simply, he’s feeling it. After working his way back following ACL rehabilitation that sidelined him for the entirety of the 2021-22 season, seeing Murray close out 2022 looking like himself just feels right.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">They call him Blue Arrow for a reason 🏹 <a href="https://t.co/Ffl1XfQLgh">pic.twitter.com/Ffl1XfQLgh</a></p>— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) <a href="https://twitter.com/nuggets/status/1607968711620825088?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 28, 2022</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
The 25-year-old sharpshooter is averaging 18.3 points, 3.9 rebounds and 5.7 assists in 31.8 minutes per game this season.
Aaliyah Edwards has been setting and breaking new career-highs all season. The latest feat for the 20-year-old University of Connecticut star was recording the first 20-20 game for UConn in more than 12 years in a 72-47 victory against Creighton.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">🗣️ AALIYAH EDWARDS<br><br>- 23 points, 20 rebounds at #21 Creighton<br>- first UConn player with 20 rebounds since Maya Moore in 2010<br>- averaging 17.9 PPG and 10.0 RPG this season <a href="https://t.co/hPuwZKlcoJ">pic.twitter.com/hPuwZKlcoJ</a></p>— UConn Women’s Basketball (@UConnWBB) <a href="https://twitter.com/UConnWBB/status/1608477505085902848?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 29, 2022</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Edwards finished with 23 points and 20 rebounds against the Bluejays, becoming the first UConn player to record 20 rebounds in a game since Maya Moore did it in 2010. Edwards is averaging 17.3 points and 10.0 rebounds per game through 12 contests this season. She’s also averaging 2.7 assists and 1.2 blocks a game while shooting 63.3 percent from the floor as she’s doubled her rebounding average and upped her scoring by 10 points a game from last season.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">we're running out of things to say about Aaliyah Edwards<br><br>she's just so, so good <a href="https://t.co/wq3eKhkiig">pic.twitter.com/wq3eKhkiig</a></p>— UConn Women’s Basketball (@UConnWBB) <a href="https://twitter.com/UConnWBB/status/1608293205488947200?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 29, 2022</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Shay Colley is headed to France. The 26-year-old Nova Scotian guard signed with Les Flammes Carolo in Charleville-Mezieres, France this week. Colley arrives in France from Jerusalem where she averaged 19.5 points and 3.8 rebounds for ASA Jerusalem. Colley represented Canada most recently in the 2022 FIBA Basketball Women’s World Cup in Australia where she helped the team to a fourth-place finish.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">OFFICIAL - Flammes Carolo has announced the signing with Kiara Leslie & Shay Colley <a href="https://t.co/ISYqFrJLCd">pic.twitter.com/ISYqFrJLCd</a></p>— Women's Basketball Junction (@womenhoops) <a href="https://twitter.com/womenhoops/status/1608041758021099520?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 28, 2022</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
AJ Lawson signed a two-way deal with the Dallas Mavericks. The move means that the Toronto native will split time between the Mavericks and G League affiliate Texas Legends squads. Lawson comes to Dallas after previously playing on a two-way contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves and for the Atlanta Hawks G League affiliate College Park Skyhawks.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Huge congrats to A.J. Lawson on earning a two-way deal with the <a href="https://twitter.com/dallasmavs?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@dallasmavs</a>! 👊<br><br>The 6’6” swingman averaged 21.2 points and 6.2 rebounds with the <a href="https://twitter.com/CPSkyhawks?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CPSkyhawks</a> prior to his <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBACallUp?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBACallUp</a>. <a href="https://t.co/sjWA2hQpLJ">pic.twitter.com/sjWA2hQpLJ</a></p>— NBA G League (@nbagleague) <a href="https://twitter.com/nbagleague/status/1607531638283460609?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 27, 2022</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Brampton will be the hotspot for international basketball this February. The CEBL, in partnership with the City of Brampton and FIBA, announced that CAA Centre in Brampton will play host in the third window of group stage games in the upcoming February window for the Basketball Champions League of Americas. CEBL fans will be able to watch the Brampton Honey Badgers represent the CEBL in the BCLAs as they face Libertadores from Mexico and Real Esteli from Nicaragua with action starting February 7th.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Professional Basketball 🤝 Brampton <br><br>“We’re really excited to bring international basketball to Brampton” - Mike Morreale<br><br>“The Honey Badgers have chosen Brampton as their home and you will be welcomed with open arms.” - Harkirat Sing<br><br>Priority seating available NOW. 🔗 in bio <a href="https://t.co/x3i7igrbfU">pic.twitter.com/x3i7igrbfU</a></p>— Brampton Honey Badgers (@HoneyBadgersCAN) <a href="https://twitter.com/HoneyBadgersCAN/status/1598830974887788544?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 3, 2022</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Oshae Brissett had 16 points and five rebounds in a 129-114 Indiana Pacers victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday. He shot 5-for-6 from the floor, including 2-for-3 from beyond the arc and 4-for-6 from the line as he was a team-best +28 in his 20 minutes of action.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Oshae Brissett is cooking early off of the bench.🤌<br><br>10 PTS | 4 REB <a href="https://t.co/RYEijsMSRu">pic.twitter.com/RYEijsMSRu</a></p>— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) <a href="https://twitter.com/Pacers/status/1607909553793863681?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 28, 2022</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Teammate Bennedict Mathurin continued to light up the scoreboard off the bench, adding 18 points on 6-for-10 shooting in the victory.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Bennedict Mathurin is the <a href="https://twitter.com/NBA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@nba</a>'s leading scorer off the bench this season at 17.6 PPG.🔥 <a href="https://t.co/Yo4v3Iz04O">pic.twitter.com/Yo4v3Iz04O</a></p>— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) <a href="https://twitter.com/Pacers/status/1608504695860989952?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 29, 2022</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
RJ Barrett scored a season-high 44 points for the New York Knicks on Friday, but a last-second jumper from DeMar DeRozan gave the Chicago Bulls a 118-117 win. Barrett did everything in his power to try to get his team the victory, making 14-of-20 shots, including all six of his attempts from deep. He shot 10-for-13 from the line and added seven rebounds and four assists in 39 minutes and had the Garden faithful on their feet with a thunderous slam in the third quarter.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="hu" dir="ltr">RJ BARRETT 💥<br><br>(via <a href="https://twitter.com/NBATV?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NBATV</a>)<a href="https://t.co/YZtPTWVRP4">pic.twitter.com/YZtPTWVRP4</a></p>— Dime (@DimeUPROXX) <a href="https://twitter.com/DimeUPROXX/status/1606471357453279234?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 24, 2022</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Finally, as we close out 2022 and look ahead to a 2023 filled with even more Canadian hoopers doing their thing, we leave you with this timely tweet from Senior Women’s National Team head coach Víctor Lapeña.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="es" dir="ltr">Feliz Navidad 🇨🇦🏀 <a href="https://t.co/iPWb1gdj7i">pic.twitter.com/iPWb1gdj7i</a></p>— Víctor Lapeña (@lapevic) <a href="https://twitter.com/lapevic/status/1606718210753142784?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 24, 2022</a></blockquote><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
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