DISPATCH
Devin Booker Explodes for 43 Points in Phoenix Home Opener
Former Kentucky All-American Devin Booker poured in 43 points Saturday night, leading the Phoenix Suns to a 131-122 victory over the Golden State Warriors. Booker connected on 17 of 25 field-goal attempts and added seven rebounds and seven assists as Phoenix rebounded from a lopsided opening-night defeat at Portland. The former Wildcat scored 17 points in the third quarter, helping the Suns establish a 10-point advantage entering the final period. Phoenix has now won five consecutive home openers.
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Jamal Murray Scores 42 as Nuggets Rally From 23 Down
Former Kentucky guard Jamal Murray scored 42 points Saturday night as the Denver Nuggets overcame a 23-point deficit to defeat the New Orleans Pelicans, 141-135, in overtime. Murray helped fuel Denver’s second-half comeback, joining Nikola Jokić in a fourth-quarter rally that erased New Orleans’ commanding lead. Jokić finished with 35 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists, while Murray’s scoring and late free throws helped force the extra period. Denver completed the comeback despite missing several rotation players.
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Reed Sheppard Finds His Shooting Touch in Houston Victory
Former Kentucky guard Reed Sheppard connected on five three-pointers Saturday, scoring 19 points as the Houston Rockets defeated the Atlanta Hawks, 121-114. Sheppard made five of 11 attempts from beyond the arc after opening the season just one of six, providing a timely offensive lift alongside Kevin Durant‘s 22 points. Houston built a 20-point advantage before holding off Atlanta’s late comeback, improving to 3-0 for the first time since the 2017-18 season.
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Tyrese Maxey Helps Philadelphia Remain Unbeaten
Former Kentucky star Tyrese Maxey continued his productive start to the season Saturday, scoring 26 points as the Philadelphia 76ers defeated the Milwaukee Bucks, 127-112. Maxey made four three-pointers, collected four rebounds and distributed four assists while helping Philadelphia improve to 3-0. The former Wildcat has now scored 28, 32 and 26 points in his first three appearances, averaging 28.7 points as Philadelphia opens the season with three consecutive victories.
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Kentucky Prepares for Final Exhibition Against UCF
Kentucky returns to Rupp Arena Wednesday, October 28, for its final exhibition game against UCF, with tipoff scheduled for 6 p.m. ET on SEC Network. The Wildcats enter the contest with exhibition victories over Little Rock and nationally ranked Texas Tech, having improved their ball security from 19 turnovers in the opener to 11 against the Red Raiders. Kentucky’s defense has also held its first two opponents to a combined 36 percent shooting from the field and 20 percent from three-point range. The Wildcats begin regular-season play November 3 against Manhattan.
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