By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Despite the 128-125 loss against Detroit, Oklahoma City Thunder fans could witness Vasilije Micic’s debut in the NBA Preseason in last night’s action.
The former Anadolu Efes playmaker and EuroLeague MVP, coming off the bench in this new American experience, provided 7 points and 3 assists for his teammates, including one to Chet Holmgren who scored from three-point range.
Without Bojan Bogdanovic, the Pistons were helped also by the 22-year-old point guard Killian Hayes, who had 16 points with 2 rebounds and 3 assists – shooting 7/13 from the field – for his team in finding the victory.
Vasilije Micic from DEEP pic.twitter.com/M7vT53lq3G
— Thunder Film Room (@ThunderFilmRoom) October 13, 2023
The rest of the NBA Preseason friendly games of the night
Starting to feel the rhythm, the 2x NBA MVP Nikola Jokic had 17 points with 6 rebounds and 4 assists in Denver’s loss against Chicago, which was helped by Nikola Vucevic’s 10 points in 22 minutes on the court for the Bulls.
Elsewhere in the league, the Wagner brothers helped the Orlando Magic win 108-105 against the Cleveland Cavaliers. Back in the US after winning the 2023 FIBA World Cup, Franz had 18 points with 6/7 FG and 3/3 from three points, while Moritz added 14 points off the bench.
Bilal Coulibaly started for the Washington Wizards in the 98-92 win against the Charlotte Hornets, scoring 12 points with 5 boards, while the veteran Danilo Gallinari added 4 points and 3 rebounds in one of the first games since his long-term ACL injury.
Santi Aldama’s all-around night of 22 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists wasn’t enough for Memphis to capture the win against the Atlanta Hawks, despite Bogdan Bogdanovic providing only 2 points, 3 assists, and 3 steals in 17 minutes of playing time.
The Houston Rockets crushed New Orleans 120-87 with Alperen Sengun’s 12 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists, while Boban Marjanovic added 4 points and 5 boards off the bench. The Pelicans couldn’t count on Jonas Valanciunas’ contribution, as the Lithuanian center ended the game scoreless.
Playing one of his first games with the Phoenix Suns after being traded from Portland as part of the package to send Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks, Jusuf Nurkic convinced with an imposing stat line of 17 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals, helping in the 122-111 win against his former side.
Don @santialdama.
Jugando 22 minutos ante los Hawks… 💥
▪️22 puntos
▪️7 rebotes
▪️6 asistenciasAbróchense los cinturones 🇮🇨🤩 pic.twitter.com/7XyfZ0mOMB
— NBASpain (@NBAspain) October 13, 2023