The win concluded the 16th edition of the NBA China Games, with Dallas showcasing a balanced attack. Cooper Flagg continued to impress, adding 14 points and seven assists, while rookie Sergio de Larrea made a significant impact in his debut, recording nine points, seven rebounds, and four assists to finish with a game-high plus-minus of +34. For the Rockets, Marcus Smart led the scoring effort with 20 points in his first appearance for the franchise.
Preseason Action Across the League
Elsewhere in the NBA, the preseason schedule featured a series of competitive matchups. In the Bay Area, the Golden State Warriors edged out the Sacramento Kings 111-106. Yaxel Lendeborg anchored the Warriors with a standout stat line of 23 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, and two steals. Sacramento’s Darius Acuff Jr. led all scorers with 25 points and eight assists in a losing effort, while Ben Simmons returned to NBA action for the first time in 529 days, logging seven points in nine minutes.
In Miami, the Minnesota Timberwolves secured a narrow 125-124 win over the Heat, decided by an Antonio Reeves floater with just 2.3 seconds remaining. Bones Hyland paced the Timberwolves with 23 points. Meanwhile, in Vancouver, the Toronto Raptors defeated the Los Angeles Clippers 114-106, led by a 20-point performance from hometown favorite RJ Barrett. Other results saw the Atlanta Hawks overcome the Indiana Pacers 119-117, and the Phoenix Suns record their first preseason victory by holding off the San Antonio Spurs 102-98.
Washington Wins in Overtime
The Washington Wizards claimed a 114-108 overtime victory against the Detroit Pistons. The game saw a late surge from Washington, as Will Riley scored 13 of his 15 points in the second half and overtime period. Despite a 20-point first-quarter lead for the Wizards, the Pistons rallied to force the extra session before Washington closed the game on a decisive run. Top draft pick AJ Dybantsa contributed 14 points and seven rebounds for the Wizards, matching the 14-point effort of Detroit’s Ebuka Okorie.
