Aussie Simmons beaten in debut, Lin hurt in Nets loss
WASHINGTON – Agence France-Presse
Australian Ben Simmons was beaten in his debut while Asian-American standout Jeremy Lin suffered a severe right knee injury as the new NBA season tipped off Oct. 18 for most clubs.
Simmons, a 21-year-old forward from Melbourne, was the top pick of last year's NBA Draft by the Philadelphia 76ers but missed all of last season with a broken right foot.
Simmons made his much-awaited league debut at Washington, where the 76ers lost their season opener to the host Wizards 120-115 despite 18 points, 10 rebounds and five assists by the Aussie.
"I felt like I was playing [a video game], honestly," Simmons said.
A day after Gordon Hayward suffered a broken left leg, it was Brooklyn's Lin, the NBA's first U.S. player of Chinese and Taiwanese heritage, who went down in Indiana's 140-131 home win over the Nets.
Lin, who scored 18 points, was hurt with 4:53 remaining, landing awkwardly after a drive to the basket, and helped off the court with a right knee injury.
"We just hope he's OK," Nets forward Caris LeVert said.
Lin played only 36 games last season due to nagging hamstring injuries.
Hayward made an emotional video appearance at Boston's home opener saying he would be "all right," but it was Greek star Giannis Antetokounmpo who spoiled the night for the Celtics, scored 37 points and grabbed 13 rebounds to spark Milwaukee over the Celtics 108-100.
Orlando's Evan Fournier scored 23 points, seven of them in the last two minutes, to lead the Magic over visiting Miami 116-109, their first season-opening triumph since 2012.
At Detroit, the Pistons made a triumphant debut at their new home in Little Caesars Arena with a 102-90 victory over Charlotte. Tobias Harris scored 27 points to lead Detroit while Kemba Walker led the Hornets with 24.
Mike Conley had 27 points and Spanish center Marc Gasol added 14 points and 11 rebounds as the Memphis Grizzlies beat visiting New Orleans 103-91, despite the Pelicans getting 33 points and 18 rebounds from Anthony Davis and 28 points, 10 rebounds and a career-high seven blocked shots from DeMarcus Cousins.
Dennis Schröder scored 28 points to lead the Atlanta Hawks past host Dallas 117-111 while Rudy Gobert scored 18 points to lead six double-figure scorers for Utah in a 106-96 triumph over visiting Denver.
LaMarcus Aldridge scored 25 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead the San Antonio Spurs over visiting Minnesota 107-99, while Damian Lillard netted 27 to power the Portland Trail Blazers to a 124-76 triumph at Phoenix.
The Houston Rockets, coming off an opening-night win at Golden State, won 105-100 at Sacramento behind 27 points from James Harden plus 22 points and 17 rebounds from Clint Capela.
