12 teams took the floor on Monday for Day 3 of the 2020-21 NBA preseason.
The gameday began in Atlanta as the Magic and Hawks played for the second time in three days, headlined by Trae Young and Markelle Fultz both finishing as leading scorers for their respective teams with 21 points.
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From the Nets' All-Star duo making their debut to the LA franchises playing the second of their two preseason games, there were plenty of storylines to keep track of. We've got you covered with the biggest ones:
KD and Kyrie sizzle in preseason debut
Kevin Durant's first basket as a Net didn't look like he hadn't played competitive professional basketball in 552 days. Starting off 3-of-3 from the field, the former MVP finished with 15 points on his Nets preseason debut.
Not far behind was his teammate Kyrie Irving. Restricted to just 20 games due to multiple injuries last season, the guard looked like he hadn't missed a beat. Playing 18 minutes - all in the first half - he recorded 18 points on an efficient 7-of-9 shooting from the field.
For the visiting Wizards, who were playing without Russell Westbrook, Bradley Beal, and Davis Bertans, the biggest takeaway from the game was the play of their wings -Troy Brown Jr., Rui Hachimura, and rookie Deni Avdjia, who finished with 15 points on a perfect shooting night.
Talen Horton-Tucker erupts in Lakers win
For a second straight game, neither LeBron James nor Anthony Davis took the floor in the team's preseason contest against the Clippers, and for a second straight game, sophomore guard Talen Horton-Tucker was the game's leading scorer.
After scoring 19 points a couple of days prior, in this one, he went off for 33 - joining Brandon Ingram, D'Angelo Russell, and Kobe Bryant as the only Lakers to score 30+ points in a preseason game in the last decade.
He also finished with 10 rebounds and four assists while shooting 11-of-17 shooting from the field. He combined with Kyle Kuzma for 58 points in the Lakers' blowout 131-106 victory.
For the Clippers, barring Marcus Morris Sr., all rotation players logged playing time including Kawhi Leonard and Paul George.
Barrett, Doumbouya star in Knicks-Pistons game
In what could be a preview of the Pistons' young movement for the upcoming season, Sekou Doumbouya, one of the team's most promising prospects, was the top performer in their win over the New York Knicks.
Sekou Doumbouya's 23 PTS lead the @DetroitPistons to victory! #NBAPreseason pic.twitter.com/mVBBiMPCUI
— NBA (@NBA) December 14, 2020
Coming off the bench, he was one of three players to finish in double figures for the Pistons, who had as many 17 players log minutes in the game.
For the Knicks, RJ Barrett put in a solid performance with 25 points on 10-of-17 shooting from the field. Julius Randle was the other key contributor with his 18 points, six rebounds, and five assists.
White, LaVine lead Bulls to victory
The Bulls' new starting backcourt of Coby White and Zach LaVine showed off their potential as a duo, combining for 43 points and 10 assists in the team's victory over the Houston Rockets.
20 PTS, 5 AST and a W for @CobyWhite!#NBAPreseason x @chicagobulls pic.twitter.com/nFO3WfDcAe
— NBA (@NBA) December 14, 2020
Meanwhile, John Wall proved that his first game back was no flash in the pan. After logging 13 points and nine assists in 19 minutes a couple of days earlier, he scored 21 points in 24 minutes today.
Hood returns as Blazers' new recruits shine
Also playing for the second time in three days were the Sacramento Kings and the Portland Trail Blazers. The visiting Kings came away with the 121-106 win, with as many as eight of their players scoring in double figures.
The spotlight, however, was taken by Rodney Hood, who made his return to competitive basketball just over a year since he ruptured his Achilles. He finished with two points and four assists in his 12 minutes.
It's so good to see Hoodie back 🥺 pic.twitter.com/EDwCeEthQO
— Portland Trail Blazers (@trailblazers) December 14, 2020
Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum played just under 14 minutes each as the team's supporting cast in Robert Covington (9 points, 3 rebounds, 27 minutes), Derrick Jones Jr. (15 points, 6 rebounds, 26 minutes), Gary Trent Jr. (17 points, 34 minutes), and Harry Giles III saw extended court time.
Despite the loss, Giles was the game's top performer with 19 points, 13 rebounds, three assists, and two steals in 26 minutes.
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