With Anthony Davis returning to the lineup, the Los Angeles Lakers got their first win of the NBA preseason as they edged past the Golden State Warriors, who were playing their first game since Draymond Green punched teammate Jordan Poole.
While Green has taken some time away from the team following the incident, Poole played and was among the Warriors’ top performers in defeat.
Elsewhere, Kawhi Leonard and Zion Williamson continued their respective comebacks after missing all of last season.
Read on below as SBOTOP catches you up on the latest news and updates from NBA preseason action.
Anthony Davis returns, leads Lakers to first preseason win
After sitting out the last two games with back tightness, Anthony Davis came back with a vengeance as he led the Lakers to their first preseason victory in a 124-121 triumph over the NBA champion Golden State Warriors.
Davis had a team-high 28 points on 9-of-18 shooting (2-of-4 on 3-pointers) in just 21 minutes of action while Kendrick Nunn added 21 points and 7 assists in 25 minutes off the bench as the Lakers were without both LeBron James and Russell Westbrook.
Without a doubt, Davis’s health is a major factor in the Lakers’ NBA 2022 odds of challenging for the title. The 29-year-old has had his share of injury issues over the years, but when healthy, he is still among the most talented players in the NBA.
Davis says he plans to play with a chip on his shoulder this season as the Lakers look to return to title contention after two down years. And with LeBron James soon to turn 38 years old, the Lakers will desperately need Davis to play like the superstar that he has the potential to be – when healthy.
Jordan Poole top scores for Warriors after punching incident
The Golden State Warriors got back on the court just days after the massive NBA 2022 news that Draymond Green had punched teammate Jordan Poole in the face during practice.
Green did not play against the Lakers as he has decided to go on a leave of absence from the team following the incident.
However, Poole was ready to play and he continued to start alongside Stephen Curry with Klay Thompson still out. Poole, who was quiet in both preseason games against the Wizards in Japan, exploded for 25 points (10-19 FG, 3-9 3-PT FG) and 6 assists in just 23 minutes. Curry added 24 points in 25 minutes of action.
Among the pick of the NBA 2022 highlights was Poole’s behind the back Euro step, which he finished with a floater.
The 23-year-old Poole is coming off a breakout 2021-22 campaign where he averaged 18.5 points per game and was a key bench contributor in the Warriors’ title-winning run.
Poole is in the final year of his rookie contract and is currently in talks for a big-money extension. If he can sort out his contract situation and put the Green incident behind him, he figures to be a key player in the Warriors’ upcoming title defence.
Zion, Kawhi continue comeback trail
After they both missed the entire 2021-22 season due to injury, Zion Williamson and Kawhi Leonard continued their respective comebacks in preseason.
Williamson had 8 points, 9 rebounds, and 5 assists in the New Orleans Pelicans’ 111-97 win over the San Antonio Spurs as they improved to 3-0 in preseason. Zion has appeared in all three preseason games to date, averaging 11 points and 4.7 rebounds per game.
As for Kawhi, he played his second preseason game in the Clippers’ close 119-117 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Leonard had 8 points in just 17 minutes of action after scoring 11 points in 16 minutes in his preseason debut against the Portland Trail Blazers.
John Wall, who has not played since April 2021, exploded for 20 points in just 20 minutes against the Wolves.
With Leonard back healthy and surrounded by a deep and talented team, the Clippers are considered among the top contenders for the NBA championship this season. Meanwhile, the Pelicans are expected to make another playoff push with Zion, who scored 27 points in the 2020-21 season, leading the way.
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