Much like the one before it, 2024 has begun as a very good year for Real Madrid and its dynamic swingman, Dzanan Musa, who has been selected by Euroleague Basketball as the MVP for January in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague.
Real shook off a year-opening loss to archrival FC Barcelona to finish January 5-2 and retain its five-victory advantage at the top of the standings. Dzanan Musa was exceptional every step of the way, finishing second among all EuroLeague players last month in both scoring, with 19.9 points per game, and average performance index rating, at 22.1. He posted double digits in each statistic in all seven games in January. His consistency was highlighted by a 40-point performance in Real's epic 130-126 quadruple overtime win over Anadolu Efes Istanbul, the longest game in EuroLeague history. Not only did he become just the 10th 40-point scorer in the modern EuroLeague – and second in the last decade – but he set a club single-game record for Real scorers this century.
The youngest monthly MVP since Luka Doncic
The MVP of the Month is named by Euroleague Basketball based on his and his team's performances. Last month's award covered the seven games played by all teams between Tuesday, January 2 and Wednesday, January 31.
Musa, 24, becomes the MVP of the Month honoree for the first time in his four EuroLeague seasons to date. He's the eighth current Real player so honored, following Facundo Campazzo in November and Mario Hezonja in December, making them the first trio of teammates to win the award in successive months. He becomes the first player born in Bosnia and Herzegovina to win the MVP of the Month award. At 24 years, 8 months and 29 days old, he is also the youngest such honoree since Luka Doncic won it with Real in October of 2017.
Real bounced back behind Musa's consistency
On January 3, Musa led Real with 19 points including his career high of 5 three-pointers made despite an 83-78 loss at Barcelona, the team's first loss in regulation time all season. Two nights later came the epic against Efes, with Musa playing over 45 minutes while scoring 40 points and dishing a career-high 8 assists for a 45 PIR. His 13 two-pointers made in 15 attempts was another club record this century. Next, Musa posted 16 points as Real humbled host FC Bayern Munich 71-92. He had 13 points to go with 4 rebounds and 2 assists as Real won again in overtime, 96-86 over Valencia Basket. He followed with a team-high 12 points and 4 rebounds despite a 98-74 road loss at AS Monaco, then put up 20, another team-high to go with 5 rebounds and 3 assists, as Real turned back visiting Olympiacos, 90-85. Musa finished January with another team-high in scoring, 19 points in a 106-101 victory against Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv.
Musa defined scoring efficiency in January
Musa's high production last month was just as remarkable for his scoring efficiency. He made 31 of 42 two-point shots, a rate of 73.8% that ranked fourth in the league last month; 15 of 36 three-pointers at 41.7%; and 32 of 37 free throws at 86.5%. And despite having all that scoring responsibility, Musa made just 7 turnovers in more than 200 minutes on court last month.
And now, for a third month in a row, Real Madrid fans will get to honor another of their own, Dzanan Musa, when he is given the first EuroLeague MVP of the Month award for 2024 at an upcoming home game.
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