By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
EuroLeague MVP for the 2022/23 season, Sasha Vezenkov, moved his talents overseas and joined the Sacramento Kings, starting a new chapter with a very efficient performance in a 112-99 loss to the Toronto Raptors.
Vezenkov debuted in his new uniform with 12 points, two rebounds, and one assist in 11 minutes on the court, shooting 4-7 from the field.
“It’s always different when you’ve played and not just seen it on TV. It was our first preseason game. We’re still trying to put all the pieces together and play better. Obviously, the result wasn’t the best, but we keep trusting our process, practicing, and we have to improve a lot before our first official game,” Vezenkov shared his first impressions after the game.
Another European, Domantas Sabonis, had a solid outing with seven points, six rebounds, and six assists for the losing side, while British swingman OG Anunoby had 14 points for Toronto. World Cup winner Dennis Schroder added six points, five assists, and rebounds, and Jakob Poeltl finished with four points and five rebounds.
On the same evening, the Boston Celtics defeated the Philadelphia 76ers 114-106, with Kristaps Porzingis among the standout players on the court.
The Latvian center had a great debut in the green jersey, scoring 17 points, including 2-3 from beyond the arc, adding five rebounds and an assist.
“That was insane. That was insane for a preseason game, I don’t know what to say. It was a fun game to play, and it was a fun game to watch,” Porzingis said after the match.
On the other side of the court, Filip Petrusev played his first preseason match for the Sixers and finished with six points, three rebounds, and two assists, shooting 3-3 from the field.
The Memphis Grizzlies started the preseason with a 127-122 overtime win over the Indiana Pacers, with Spanish international Santi Aldama almost reaching a double-double with 10 points and eight boards.
Utah defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 96-101, with a couple of European players making an impact.
Lauri Markkanen had 10 points and eight boards for the winning side, while Luka Samanic added nine points, Simone Fontecchio six, and Omer Yurtseven four, along with six rebounds.
For the Clippers, Moussa Diabate had a solid game with eight points and eight rebounds, while Ivica Zubac scored four points with three boards.
NBA Preseason Results:
Boston Celtics – Philadelphia 76ers 114-106 (Porzingis 17p – Petrusev 6p)
Memphis Grizzlies – Indiana Pacers 127-122 OT (Aldama 10p, 8r)
Toronto Raptors – Sacramento Kings 122-99 (OG Anunoby 14p, Schroder 6p, 5r, 5a, Poeltl 4p, 5r – Vezenkov 12p, Sabonis 7p, 6r, 6a, Len 2p)
LA Clippers – Utah Jazz 96-101 (Diabate 8p, 8r, Zubac 4p – Markkanen 10p, 8r, Samanic 9p, Fontecchio 6p, Yurtseven 4p, 5r)