NEW YORK — Emmanuel Mudiay insisted all along that he has no ill will toward the Knicks, who had an opportunity to draft him last summer but chose Kristaps Porzingis instead.
But the Nuggets’ rookie point guard admitted Sunday that he did have a chip on his shoulder going into his first game against the Knicks — especially with the game being played at Madison Square Garden.
“I worked out with the Knicks (before the draft),” Mudiay said. “I knew they passed up on me, but they have a great pick in Porzingis. He is going to be a great player.
“I had a little edge and just wanted to come out here and play a little harder. I have to play hard every game, but just being here in Madison Square Garden is definitely fun.”
Winning makes it more fun, and Mudiay got that. Porzingis, the fourth pick in the 2015 draft, was brilliant in the third quarter Sunday, scoring 13 of his 21 points. But Mudiay was great down the stretch, outdueling Porzingis and leading the Nuggets to a 101-96 victory.
Nuggets Mailbag:
Frontcourt power. Denver’s frontcourt carried most of the load Sunday. Those players accounted for 70 of the team’s 101 points. That includes Will Barton, who played small forward most of the game. Mudiay was the only guard in double-figure scoring for the Nuggets.
Joffrey Lauvergne contributed a double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds. Coach Michael Malone said he is looking to get Lauvergne more playing time.
“I’ve been trying to play him lately because I think Joffrey’s work ethic and his character are going to be big pieces moving forward,” Malone said.
Footnotes. Darrell Arthur (quad) missed his third con- secutive game. Jameer Nelson (wrist) also didn’t play. … The Nuggets (21-31) have won four of their past six games.
DENVER AT BROOKLYN 5:30 p.m. Monday, ALT; 950 AM
Spotlight on Brook Lopez:
The Nuggets will go from one Lopez brother (Robin, with the Knicks, on Sunday) to the other, Brook, who anchors the middle for the Nets. Brook Lopez has been solid as one of the few traditional centers left in the NBA, with averages of 20.3 points and 8.4 rebounds per game this season. He is shooting 50 percent from the field.
Christopher Dempsey, The Denver Post
