The Los Angeles Lakers have finally started the preseason, but LeBron James is still quite rusty from the summer. In the second half, the Lakers go under completely. Meanwhile, Ben Simmons is celebrating his Nets debut, Moritz Wagner is running hot for the Magic and other stars are looking forward to their comebacks after a long period of suffering.
Brooklyn Nets (0-1) – Philadelphia 76ers (1-0) 108:127 (BOXSCORE)
- Debut for the Nets’ star trio! For the first time since the trade for Ben Simmons in February, the Big Three stood together on the floor – and against his former team from Philadelphia. The Australian scored his first points in the Nets jersey after a few minutes with a crashing dunk after a great assist from Irving.
- With Simmons, Irving, KD and Joe Harris making his comeback and Nic Claxton, head coach Steve Nash gave a potential starting five a few minutes to warm up. The three stars each stood on the court for 19 minutes, with Simmons having 6 points, 5 assists and 4 rebounds. Durante had 13 points (4/8 FG, 4 assists and 4 rebounds), Kyrie put on 9, 4 and 4.
- He felt “great,” Simmons said after his comeback after a break of almost a year and a half. “I’m grateful to be back on the court. I had a lot of fun out there. I wasn’t nervous, I was happy.” Overall, he made a good impression, and Coach Nash was also satisfied: “You definitely saw the beginnings of our potential. Ben looked pretty good overall. But the Big Three still need time.”
- It wasn’t enough for the Nets to win, although Joel Embiid, James Harden and PJ Tucker were rested at the other end. But Tyrese Maxey was in a really good mood, with 20 points (6/8 FG) he was the top scorer of the game. At the latest when the reserves were allowed to play in the second half, the game tilted in favor of the Sixers. Furkan Korkmaz and Julian Champagnie each scored 15 points from the bench.
Memphis Grizzlies (2-0) – Orlando Magic (0-1) 109:97 (BOXSCORE)
- After being given a break in the preseason opener against Milwaukee, the Grizzlies stars were able to get into a rhythm against Orlando. Especially Ja Morant couldn’t be said twice. The point guard presented himself in excellent early form with 22 points and 7 assists (7/11 FG, 7/10 FT).
- Santi Aldama started 21 points at 4/5 from Downtown, Brandon Clarke had 13 points and 5 rebounds from the bench and Desmond Bane still had 11 points despite minor problems with the three-pointer (0/5). Already at half-time, Memphis had established a two-digit lead that they shouldn’t give up. Morant and the rest of the starters played around 22 minutes.
- The Magic made his debut with No. 1 pick Paolo Banchero, but it seems he hasn’t quite gotten into his NBA rhythm (8 points, 2 rebounds, 2/9 FG). Things went much better with Moritz Wagner. While brother Franz was still allowed to take a break, he convinced with 15 points, 4 boards, 2 steals and a hot hand from downtown (4/6 threes). Cole Anthony (17, 4/8 threes) and RJ Hampton (14, 7 assists) also got off to a good start in the preseason.
Denver Nuggets (0-1) – Oklahoma City Thunder (1-0) 101:112 (BOXSCORE)
- 539 days and finally the comeback! Jamal Murray, who had missed last season due to a cruciate ligament rupture, was hyped even before the Nuggets preseason opener, followed by a decent performance against the Thunder. In 15 minutes he scored 10 points (4/7 FG, 2/3 trebles) and dished out 2 assists.
- The remaining starters didn’t get much more playing time either, Nikola Jokic was still holding back quite a bit (2 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 turnovers with 0/1 FG). Michael Porter J. also celebrated his comeback and was the best scorer among the starters with 12 points (5/7 FG). Only Zeke Nnaji cracked this yield off the bench (15 and 6 rebounds).
- The two hopefuls Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (knee) and Chet Holmgren (foot, absent entire season) could not play for the Thunder, but Josh Giddey was already in form. The 19-year-old scratched on a preseason triple-double (14 points, 12 rebounds and 9 assists), Tre Mann (17, 6/11 FG) and Aaron Wiggins (15, 4/4 threes) were in a good mood – the latter especially in the third quarter (12) when OKC pulled away decisively.
