After a rough first game of the season where he scored just 11 points and committed six turnovers, Denver Nuggets sophomore guard Emmanuel Mudiay was able to kick it into gear and get things going in the squad’s home opener.

Mudiay tallied 21 points, seven boards and three swipes against the Trail Blazers, a stat line that he has been waiting awhile to see.

“I knew I had to pick it up,” Mudiay said following the game.

So did his head coach, Michael Malone, who was happy to see his young point guard have an impressive performance.

“I thought it was great,” Malone said. “To see him play in attack mode, very aggressive, downhill … It was great to see him get going.”

The expectations are high this season for Mudiay, especially with a plethora of guards breathing down his neck for playing time.

The ball is in his court. The Nuggets are ready to begin the climb towards contention, so let’s see if this was Mudiay’s way of turning the page on a young season.