Former Syracuse basketball stars shine on day one of NBA re-start pre-season

Three months later and the NBA is back playing games. Former Syracuse basketball stars Michael Carter-Williams and Jerami Grant both impressed on day one.

It’s been a long three months with no NBA games, but finally, the long-awaited bubble format is here. 22-teams either currently inside or just outside the playoff picture will have one week of pre-season games, followed by eight regular-season contests prior to the playoffs. With pre-season games having started July 22, former Syracuse basketball standout, Michael Carter-Williams had one of the best games on day one.

Carter-Williams, a backup point guard for the Orlando Magic, scored 16 points off the bench in a 99-90 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. MCW found those 16 by connecting on six-of-eleven field goals and hitting four-of-six free throws. He also added three assists, which tied for Magic lead in the game.

Perhaps the comfort of virtually playing at home may help Carter-Williams and his Magic team perform well. But for Carter-Williams, the 16-point outburst may prove to be more than just a fluke. He was the second-leading scorer in the game for the Magic, contributing the fourth-most in the entire game.

The former Syracuse guard was also joined by BJ Johnson, another Orange alum. While Johnson didn’t graduate from Syracuse – he finished up his collegiate career at La Salle – he’s still a valuable part of Orange nation. Johnson finished the game with 3 points, 2 rebounds, and 2 assists.

In the second game of the day’s action, Jerami Grant and the Denver Nuggets took down the Washington Wizards, 89-82. Grant got the start (at shooting guard…), scored 10 points, and grabbed 3 rebounds in the win. He also hit two three-point shots in six tries, an addition to his game that he’s really seemed to grow upon this year.

It will be interesting to see if the former Syracuse basketball forward continues to start for the Nuggets – and at what position – when the playoffs roll around. He’s been a bit of a tweener going in and out of the starting lineup throughout his first year in Denver. However, given the Nuggets started Nikola Jokic at point guard along with Paul Millsap, Bol Bol, Mason Plumlee, and Grant, it seems like more of an experiment than a constant lineup.

Both Carter-Williams and Grant wowed in their July 22 games. Both teams will play again on July 25, with Carter-Williams’ Magic facing off against Dion Waiters and the Los Angeles Lakers.