NBA Daily Roundup: Nuggets Spoil Draymond and Klay’s Preseason Debut

Here’s a quick recap of Friday’s 2022-23 NBA preseason games, including the Nuggets’ 42-point third-quarter performance against the Warriors.

nuggets warriors
Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images

Hyland Stars in Nuggets Win

It may just be a preseason game, but the Denver Nuggets gained a confidence-boosting 119-112 victory over the Golden State Warriors. Sophomore guard Bones Hyland came off the bench to pour in 19 points while reigning Most Valuable Player Nikola Jokic put up a team-high 21 markers. The Nuggets faced an eight-point deficit at halftime, but a 42-point spurt in the third quarter saw them take a 14-point lead entering the final period.

The Nuggets were highly efficient from the field, hitting an overall 63.5% clip, including an excellent 47.6% from the three-point line. They showed glimpses of their versatility on offense, despite playing without top backcourt star Jamal Murray. Murray, who missed the entirety of the 2021-22 season due to a Torn ACL injury, sat out this game as he’s still recovering from a minor hamstring injury.

In spite of the loss, the Warriors provided quite a number of highlights tonight, especially with stars Klay Thompson and Draymond Green appearing in their first game since winning the 2022 NBA championship. Steph Curry amassed a game-high 23 markers, while second-year forward Jonathan Kuminga had 19. The Warriors will receive their championship rings when they host the Los Angeles Lakers on October 18.

Jalen Green Shows Star Potential

Incoming sophomore wing Jalen Green flexed his muscles in a Houston Rockets’ 122-114 win over the Indiana Pacers. Green came up with 33 points in just 28 minutes of play, going 10-of-15 from the field and staying perfect in his nine trips to the free-throw line. Kevin Porter Jr., Green’s backcourt partner, missed just one of his six three-point attempts and finished with 22 markers in the preseason win.

Green and Porter are deemed as cornerstones of the rebuilding Rockets franchise. They also have other talented young pieces in Jabari Smith Jr., Alperen Sengun, Josh Christopher, and Tari Eason, but their lack of experience and depth will make for another uphill climb this season.

Pacers’ Buddy Hield and Myles Turner, two names that are recently heating up in trade speculations, contributed 19 and 15 points, respectively. Rookie Benedict Mathurin continued his offensive brilliance, tallying 18 markers in the loss.

Other NBA Results Today:

Cleveland Cavaliers lost to the Orlando Magic, 114-108

Washington Wizards lost to the New York Knicks, 105-89

Boston Celtics lost to the Toronto Raptors in OT, 137-134

Brooklyn Nets won against the Minnesota Timberwolves, 112-102

Dallas Mavericks won against the Utah Jazz, 115-101

Atlanta Hawks lost to the New Orleans Pelicans, 120-111

Los Angeles Lakers lost to the Sacramento Kings, 133-86

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