76ers win, James Harden returns, and Stephen Curry sizzles in the biggest storylines from Day 5 of the NBA preseason

Yash Matange

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76ers win, James Harden returns, and Stephen Curry sizzles in the biggest storylines from Day 5 of the NBA preseason image

Only six teams took the floor on Wednesday for Day 5 of the 2020-21 NBA preseason. 

The Philadelphia 76ers, with a new supporting cast and under new management, began on a winning note against the Boston Celtics, while James Harden returned to the Rockets' line-up after missing training camp. 

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We've got you covered with all the big takeaways from Day 5 of preseason:

New-look Philly start with a W vs. Boston

The 76ers have seen plenty of changes this offseason, whether that's on the court or in the coaching staff and front office.

But it's the same superstar duo of Joel Embiid and Ben Simmons, and the former was on fire in the first half. He finished with 18 points in 17 minutes. 

“We ran our stuff, but we didn’t run his stuff," coach Doc Rivers said about Embiid. "And he still had 18.”

Reserve guard Shake Milton was the game's top-scorer with his 19 points. Simmons recorded 10 points and six assists in 26 minutes, while Tobias Harris finished with 16 points and nine rebounds. 

Among the new guys, both Seth Curry and Danny Green combined for two triples. Dwight Howard finished with five points and five rebounds.

For the Celtics, only three players finished in double figures. Free agent signing Jeff Teague was one of them. He recorded 18 points in 19 minutes on 7-of-9 shooting from the field.

"I thought Jeff Teague was excellent tonight," coach Brad Stevens said. "I thought the young guys were good tonight. But we’re gonna need more if we want to have a chance to be good."

Rockets win in first glimpse of Harden

The third of the Rockets' four preseason games gave everybody their first glimpse of former MVP James Harden. 

Playing his first game after missing the team's training camp and the first two preseason games, he only made three of his 10 field goal attempts, but his step-back jumper was still on point. 

In 21 minutes, he finished with 12 points, four assists, three rebounds, and two steals. Harden didn't speak to the media after his first preseason game but coach Stephen Silas was more than pleased. 

“Defensively he has good hands, makes plays, and is smart," Coach Silas said. "To have him out there was great.”

He was one of five Rockets to finish in double figures as Houston came away with the 112-98 victory. For the Spurs, Lonnie Walker IV was the top scorer with 17 points. 

Curry dazzles as Kyle Guy leads Kings to victory

After a couple of games up in Portland, the Kings returned home to host the Golden State Warriors and sophomore guard Kyle Guy was the star of the game.

Not only was he the team's high-scorer but he also nailed the game-winner at the buzzer to give the Kings their second straight preseason victory. 

While Guy stole the show, Stephen Curry put on a show in the first three-quarters of the game. He piled up 29 points in 28 minutes on 11-of-21 shooting while also recording four rebounds, four assists, and three steals.

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Yash Matange

Yash Matange Photo