From Jamal Murray to Kawhi Leonard to the Nets’ personal Ben Simmons, quite a few NBA stars are returning after lacking final season with accidents.
There are few, if any, who will draw as a lot curiosity and curiosity because the Pelicans’ Zion Williamson, who got here again Wednesday towards the Nets after lacking all of final season with a damaged proper foot.
Williamson had 25 factors, 9 boards, three assists and even picked off 4 steals, menacing the Nets on each ends of the ground in a 130-108 Pelicans victory.
“He seemed wholesome to me,” Kevin Durant mentioned “He seemed good. Acquired up 22 pictures, 9 rebounds, 25 factors. That’s in all probability simply typical for him.”
Nets coach Steve Nash mentioned: “You'll be able to see how bodily he's and the way tough he's to maintain off your rim and off the offensive glass. It appears to be like like he’s wholesome and taking part in very properly.”
The Nets began Simmons, Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, Royce O’Neale and Nic Claxton, the identical lineup they went with for his or her closing three preseason video games. Claxton had 13 factors and a team-high 10 boards.
Seth Curry (left ankle), Joe Harris (left foot soreness) and T.J. Warren (left foot) have been all out for the Nets. Curry and Harris can be evaluated Thursday, Warren received’t be till subsequent month.
Jaxson Hayes (left elbow UCL tear) was nonetheless out for New Orleans, though Pelicans coach Willie Inexperienced mentioned “He’s actual shut [to returning].”
Kira Lewis Jr. (ACL) and EJ Liddell (ACL) have been out as properly.
The Nets’ Nov. 1 residence recreation versus Chicago will now be televised by TNT, as will their Nov. 15 highway recreation at Sacramento. The Kings recreation will exchange the Knicks at Utah that night time.
NBA TV has dropped the Nets’ Nov. 17 recreation at Portland, however has added the Nov. 13 showdown on the Lakers, the Dec. 23 conflict vs. visiting Milwaukee (changing Minnesota-Boston) and the Jan. 22 recreation at Golden State, Durant’s first wholesome return to the Bay Space with followers within the stands.
Irving began the night time in pregame ceremonies by taking the microphone at heart court docket and delivering a name for President Joe Biden to carry imprisoned WNBA star Brittney Griner residence.
Griner has been imprisoned in Russia since February on a drug cost and was sentenced to 9 years in jail, over vape canisters containing hashish oil in her baggage. NBA and WNBA gamers have been calling for politicians to step up efforts to carry her residence, and Irving — who has championed the reason for WNBA gamers earlier than — made a heartfelt plea.
“I admire us with the ability to share this flooring collectively, all of us as brothers; however the massive image that’s happening on the planet is free our sister Brittney Griner,” Irving mentioned. “Please. Please. POTUS do your job. All people do your job. Please carry our sister residence. We wouldn’t be doing our jobs to the perfect of our capacity if we didn’t stand on what we consider in.”
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