Denver Nuggets Power Forward Kenneth Faried Helps Team USA defeat Turkey

If you weren’t excited about Denver Nuggets basketball this upcoming season, power forward Kenneth Faried gave you a reason to be Sunday afternoon in Team USA’s FIBA World Cup game against Turkey.

Team USA started out slow, trailing the Turkish national team at the half by the score of 40-35. Faried served as the team’s primary yet unlikely source of offense Sunday, scoring 22 points on 10-of-14 shooting — including a ridiculous reverse lay-up in the first-half to put Team USA up 14-10 early. Team USA would go on to win the match-up by the final score 98-77.

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Faried was the top performer according to FIBA.com, scoring 22 points, 8 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 steals, and 2 blocks to go along with a PER (Player Efficiency Rating) of +33. Faried led the team in points and rebounds. Behind Faried, Anthony Davis of the New Orleans Pelicans added 19 points of his own to go along with 6 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocked shots.

Kenneth Faried and Team USA return to action next Tuesday at 11:30 AM ET, 9:30 PM MST.