NBA Preseason: Jokic, Harden, and Dallas's Revenge

Nikola Jokic needed just 26 minutes to remind everyone why the preseason is too small for him. The Serbian star posted 22 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists in Denver's 133-128 victory over the Chicago Bulls in a much more competitive October matchup than usual. It was the highlight of a Sunday with four games that started in the morning in Macao with great news for Spanish basketball: Sergio de Larrea, in his second game with the Mavericks, finished with his team's best plus-minus (+34).

Denver rallies and Bulls find Leonard Miller

The Bulls went into halftime up nine (68-59) after a second quarter of 41 points, sustained by three-pointers: they finished 21 of 50 from deep. They played with small lineups out of necessity, because Nic Claxton and Zach Collins remain injured and Tobe Awaka was ruled out late. The third quarter changed the game. Denver won it 26-40, took the lead, and held on through an even fourth quarter (34-34).

In Chicago, the best news was Leonard Miller, who continues to have an excellent preseason: 26 points on 11 of 14 shooting and 7 rebounds. Caleb Wilson, the No. 4 draft pick, had a cold night from three-point range with just one make—the buzzer-beater at halftime—but still added 17 points. Matas Buzelis returned to the starting lineup two days after leaving the game against the Grizzlies with ankle soreness.

Also read:

• De Larrea debuts with the Mavericks: 3 of 3 from three in Macao
• One shot, ten points: LeBron's debut with the 76ers
• The Flagg era doesn't include Irving: Mavs plan to move him before February

Harden at 37

In Cleveland, James Harden quieted any doubts in his first preseason game. He scored 24 points in 26 minutes on 7 of 10 shooting and 3 of 5 from three, and the Cavaliers cruised past the Orlando Magic (119-105). They won all four quarters. Evan Mobley added 14 points and 7 rebounds, and Donovan Mitchell focused more on facilitating with 6 assists. In Orlando, Paolo Banchero continues to struggle with his shot: he made 1 of 10, though he added 10 points from the free throw line.

In Charlotte, the Hornets beat the Bucks 105-90 without Kon Knueppel, with Brandon Miller as the leading scorer (18 points, 4 three-pointers). The game was decided in the second quarter (19-31). Myles Turner recorded five blocks in Milwaukee's loss, and Kyle Kuzma and Ryan Rollins each added 12 points.

De Larrea and Irving's Return

Sunday had started at the Venetian Arena in Macao, where the Dallas Mavericks got their revenge against the Houston Rockets (132-115) and evened the China series. Kyrie Irving returned to play 587 days after tearing his ACL and scored 17 points in 21 minutes. De Larrea added 9 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 steals in 22 minutes, with a fourth quarter in which he set up two dunks.

Sunday, October 11 Results (Preseason)

Highlights of the Night