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Miami Heat guard Kendrick Nunn made a rare playoff appearance in Game 1 of the NBA Finals on Wednesday after filling in for Goran Dragic, who suffered a torn left plantar fascia. Nunn responded by scoring 18 points, the most by a rookie player off of the bench in the NBA Finals since Lakers center Elden Campbell had 21 points in 1991.
The appearance by Nunn was his first since Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals and the 18 points set a new playoff career-high this year. The performance offered the Heat a small silver lining after trailing by as many as 32 points in the loss and rookie teammate Tyler Herro was happy for Nunn after playing well.
I was happy for him. We’ve been playing together since last summer and he’s been through a lot, obviously, from being the starting point guard all year and then to sit out and not really be in the rotation throughout these playoffs. For him to step in, he’s been working every single day in practice with the same attitude. He’s great in the locker room, and we’re happy that he got some confidence last night and got his rhythm going. We’re just happy for him.
Nunn tested positive for the coronavirus over the summer and struggled to play with the Heat during the seeding games. After starting every game during the regular season, he fell out of the rotation in the playoffs with Dragic taking his place in the starting lineup.
With the status of Dragic uncertain now, Nunn may be called upon more moving forward versus the Los Angeles Lakers. He has proven that he can be a regular contributor and the Heat may need to rely on him once more to have a chance in the NBA Finals.
Game 2 is set to tip-off on Friday at 9 p.m. ET on ABC.
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