Collin Gillespie had the best game of his NBA career on Friday, finishing the Nuggets’ win over Portland with 18 points (7-of-9 FGs, 0-of-1 FTs), two rebounds, four assists, one steal, and four 3-pointers in 24 minutes.
With Jamal Murray (shin splints) sidelined, Gillespie moved into the rotation as the backup point guard. The rookie out of Villanova, who missed last season with a broken leg, notched a career-high 18 points while making all four of his 3-point attempts. Not only was this the best scoring output for Gillespie, but this was also his first NBA game in double figures. Reggie Jackson received the starting nod with Murray sidelined and remains the superior streaming option, but he had a relatively quiet night in Portland. Shooting 4-of-10 from the field, he finished with nine points, three assists, and one 3-pointer in 22 minutes. Denver visits Golden State on Sunday, and Murray’s availability will impact the fantasy prospects for Jackson and Gillespie.