21

Dec

Aussies in the NBA

Furphy explodes for career-high 18 in 23 minutes

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basketball.com.au

Furphy explodes for career-high 18 in 23 minutes
Furphy explodes for career-high 18 in 23 minutes

Australian Johnny Furphy #12 of the Indiana Pacers drives to the basket during the game against the New Orleans Pelicans on December 21, 2025 (AEDT) at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana. Photo: Layne Murdoch Jr./NBAE via Getty Images

Highlights

Johnny Furphy erupts for a career night as Aussies feature across three NBA games.

NBA Box Score: Indiana Pacers @ New Orleans Pelicans

Australian wing Johnny Furphy was the clear bright spot for Indiana, pouring in a career-high 23 points off the bench. Furphy scored 18 points in 23 minutes on 7-of-10 shooting, added 2 rebounds, and finished +12, the best plus-minus on the Pacers roster.

Furphy’s production came within the flow of the offence – cutting decisively, finishing efficiently, and capitalising on space created by New Orleans’ defensive attention elsewhere. As Indiana’s starters struggled to find consistency, his energy and shot-making provided one of the few sustained sparks across the night.

this game marked a genuine milestone for Furphy – a breakout scoring performance that underscored his growing confidence and ability to impact games at NBA level, even when the result slips away.

It was a month ago, Indiana Pacers news site 8pts9secs.com screamed "Pacers regret in drafting Johnny Furphy grows as Ajay Mitchell shines".

Furphy was injured to start the season and Furphy is now starting to find his legs and prove any notion the Pacers regret drafting him as nonsense including head coach Rick Carlisle declaring it was one of his best games as a Pacer.

NBA Box Score: Washington Wizards @ Memphis Grizzlies

Australian centre Jock Landale struggled to find rhythm in his 24 minutes off the bench, finishing with 5 points on 2-of-10 shooting, including 0-of-3 from three. While his shot wasn’t falling, Landale still contributed on the glass with 8 rebounds (6 offensive), along with 1 block and 1 assist.

However, the impact metrics told the story of the night: Memphis was –7 with Landale on the floor, as Washington consistently punished second-unit lineups with pace, spacing, and transition scoring. Several of his offensive rebounds extended possessions, but the Grizzlies couldn’t convert those chances into momentum-shifting scores.

The Washington Wizards pulled away late to defeat the Memphis Grizzlies 130–122, riding a dominant second half after a back-and-forth opening two quarters. Washington exploded for 42 points in the third quarter, flipping a five-point halftime deficit into a double-digit lead they never relinquished, outscoring Memphis 77–54 across the final two periods.

NBA Box Score: Charlotte Hornets @ Detroit Pistons

Australian wing Josh Green played a 14-minute role off the bench, finishing with 5 points on 2-of-5 shooting, including 1-of-4 from three. While his scoring opportunities were limited, Green was active in other areas, adding 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 steals, providing a burst of defensive pressure and transition energy.

Green finished +12, one of the few positive plus-minus figures on a difficult night for Charlotte, reflecting his impact defensively and his ability to keep possessions alive despite the broader team struggles.

The Detroit Pistons cruised to a dominant 112–86 home win over the Charlotte Hornets, blowing the game open across the second half as Charlotte’s offence collapsed and Detroit’s starters controlled both ends of the floor.

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