The Nuggets didn’t end up on the winning end of things in their contest against the Golden State Warriors on Thursday, but rookie Malik Beasley impressed during the first extended minutes of his young NBA career.
Beasley finished his night with 12 points to pair with an assist and two rebounds on 50 percent shooting.
To this point, Beasley has not had a real opportunity to showcase what he’s capable of in the NBA, as he’s been stuck behind two or three guys in the rotation, but in a 24-point blowout, garbage time was his best friend.
“For him to see the ball go through the net tonight, I’m sure [it] will help get him going,” head coach Michael Malone said after the game. “He got a chance with the minutes he was given tonight to get into a rhythm, and he did some good things.”
The Nuggets drafted Beasley with the 19th pick in last year’s draft with the expectation that he and the rest of the Nuggets rookies will be the future of this organization.
“We have a bright future for us rookies,” Beasley said after the game.
As for his own personal performance, he gave all the credit to his teammates.
“My teammates did a great job passing the ball, looking for me, and helping me get my first bucket in the NBA,” the rookie said. “That was pretty cool.”
Beasley was one of the lone bright spots in the Nuggets’ loss and is now looking to grow and learn from his first real taste of NBA action.
Keep an eye out for No. 25.
