American center Bol Bol made a dominant unofficial National Basketball Association (NBA) debut for the Denver Nuggets that hacked out Washington Wizards, 89-82, during their scrimmage in Orlando, Florida, United States on Wednesday (Thursday here).
The seven-foot-two Bol, who was saddled with foot injury at the start of the 2019-2020 NBA season, showed his prowess by finishing the game with 16 points, 10 rebounds and six blocks.
Bol – picked No. 44 during the 2019 NBA draft – is the son of the league’s former player Manute Bol. Troy Daniels finished the scrimmage with 22 points, six rebounds and three assists while Serbian star Nikola Jokic collected 16 points, seven rebounds and seven assists for the Nuggets.
Japanese Rui Hachimura, on the other hand, totaled a near double-double performance for the Wizards with 18 points and nine rebounds.
Los Angeles Clippers, for its part, dominated Orlando Magic, 99-90, in their tune-up showdown. The Clippers were on fire early and established a 32-16 advantage in the second quarter. Orlando managed to chip six points off their 11-point halftime deficit in the third quarter but Los Angeles outpaced them in the fourth to secure the win.
Lou Williams scored a game-high 22 points, Paul George recorded 18 points and five rebounds while Kawhi Leonard, Reggie Jackson and Marcus Morris had nine points each for the Clippers. Montenegrin Nikola Vucevic led the way for the Magic with 18 points.
New Orleans Pelicans, meanwhile, outlasted the shorthanded Brooklyn Nets, 99-68, while Miami Heat edged Sacramento Kings, 104-98.
The NBA will begin its season restart in Orlando on July 30. It is one of the biggest sports leagues in the world that went on hiatus due to coronavirus disease 2019./PN
