Harm-plagued basketball star Ben Simmons has begun his seventh NBA marketing campaign with large minutes and optimistic numbers, however defeat in Atlanta.
The previous prime draft decide, one in all 14 Australians suiting up for the season, registered six factors, 5 rebounds and eight assists in 24-plus minutes as his Brooklyn Nets misplaced 120-116 to the Hawks.
The 28-year-old has been restricted to solely 58 of a attainable 200 video games since relocating from Philadelphia in February 2022 as a part of a commerce that despatched former NBA MVP James Harden to the 76ers.
Again points have been chief amongst his issues, preserving him to solely 15 video games final season and dashing his hopes of taking part in within the Boomers’ Olympic marketing campaign in Paris.
Compatriot Dyson Daniels had a memorable evening in his Atlanta debut after being traded by the New Orleans Pelicans. The Bendigo native had 15 factors, 5 boards and two assists, and was concerned in a fiery scuffle with Nets large man Nic Claxton after a tough foul.
Brooklyn’s Cameron Thomas led all scorers with 36, whereas the Hawks’ Trae Younger registered a double-double together with 30 factors and 12 assists.
Australians Josh Giddey (Chicago Bulls), Patty Mills (Utah Jazz), Matisse Thybulle and Duop Reath (each Portland Path Blazers) and Jock Landale (Houston Rockets) all tasted defeat of their groups’ season openers.
Giddey was thrust into the Bulls’ beginning line-up after his commerce from Oklahoma Metropolis and had 14 factors, 5 rebounds and three assists in a 123-111 loss to New Orleans.
The 22-year-old was jeered all through by the New Orleans crowd.
Mills noticed 16 minutes for one rebound and one help because the Jazz rallied late however fell quick in a 124-126 loss to Memphis.
Landale had 5 factors, three rebounds and two assists within the Rockets’ 110-105 loss to Charlotte, whereas Reath (three factors, one help) was barely sighted within the Blazers’ 139-104 loss to Golden State, and Thybulle did not see any courtroom time.
In Philadelphia, Milwaukee loved a 124-109 win over the Sixers.
Joel Embiid and low season acquisition Paul George had been each lacking for the hosts with knee complaints, whereas Khris Middleton (ankle) was out for the Bucks, so Damian Lillard (30 factors) and Giannis Antetokounmpo (25 factors, 14 rebounds) stood up for the visiting staff.
Elsewhere, the Cleveland Cavaliers thrashed the Raptors 136-106 in Toronto, the Indiana Pacers stormed house within the fourth to pip the Pistons 115-109 in Detroit, the Orlando Magic beat the Miami Warmth 116-97 within the Florida derby, and the Phoenix Suns scored a 116-113 win on the highway towards the LA Clippers.
AAP
