Zeng Xingyang stopped the Timberwolves directly with three consecutive three-pointers.
"Great pass." Zeng Xingyang quickly ran back to chest-bump with Jokic in celebration.
Playing basketball with high IQ players is really too comfortable.
Jokic considers how he would initiate the attack, allowing Zeng Xingyang to receive the pass in his preferred rhythm.
Jokic shrugged, a shy smile tugging at his lips.
Such passing is second nature to him, but he’s more surprised by Zeng Xingyang’s precision in three-pointers.
It seems Zeng Xingyang’s shooting is more accurate than he imagined.
Jokic thought what he did was ordinary, but Towns was dumbfounded watching this scene.
Is that big guy’s long pass amazing or what?
The local commentator in Las Vegas also exclaimed, "A long pass from the Serbian big guy to the front court, Zeng Xingyang hits another transition three."
The expressions of several Timberwolves starters varied.
Wiggins looked indifferent, as if the number of points the opponent scores didn’t concern him.
LaVine wiped the sweat off his forehead, feeling defensive pressure from Zeng Xingyang’s consecutive three-pointers.
Towns was mostly bewildered, feeling that the Nuggets’ second-round center was a better match for teaming up with Zeng Xingyang.
The screens, those long passes, played so beautifully.
He felt a bit jealous.
The crowd of fans howled.
"Oh wow, that long pass is so cool."
"Can’t be stopped, truly unstoppable."
"A long pass to the front court, followed by a three-pointer, this play is even faster than the Warriors."
"Am I really watching a summer league game? Not an NBA regular season game?"
Wiggins stepped up again.
Wiggins used Towns’ screen to accelerate a second time, passing Jokic on the switch, gliding in to score a single-handed layup.
Jokic’s current defensive experience is still a bit lacking, his position was a bit too far forward this time.
The point guard tried to break through after crossing the half-court line.
The Timberwolves’ talent was too strong, preventing penetration, forcing him to pass the ball back to Zeng Xingyang.
Zeng Xingyang passed the ball to Jokic at the free throw line, and then quickly made a back-cut.
Zeng Xingyang’s inner cut LV4 was already at NBA elite level.
This time LaVine thought he was going for a shot outside, but was instead shaken off.
Once again, separating from LaVine.
Jokic also perfectly delivered a bounce pass and then turned to block Towns trying to chase.
Another open shot was created.
Zeng Xingyang felt playing ball tonight was extremely comfortable.
Zeng Xingyang’s sudden stop mid-range shot.
Pull the ball, release it.
The basketball traced a beautiful arc.
Zeng Xingyang’s repeated mid and long-range shots at the start made the Nuggets’ scoring look very easy.
Jokic showcased top-notch playmaking, making every pass to Zeng Xingyang very comfortable.
Their seamless cooperation blew through the Timberwolves’ defense.
The game quickly tilted towards the Nuggets.
The Nuggets’ point guard wasn’t good at organizing, so under Zeng Xingyang’s command, the task was handed to Jokic.
Jokic naturally assumed the role of a playmaking center; this was exactly how he played in Europe.
However, Jokic was currently still honing his offense due to not yet reaching optimal body fat percentage, making personal offense a bit difficult.
Yet, playing with awareness and basketball IQ came easily.
The temporarily assembled players on the Nuggets were formed into a working unit by Jokic.
In contrast, the Timberwolves, although more talented, were all thinking about playing solo.
Wiggins did well in the first few possessions, but later could not get the ball.
Wiggins neither fought nor competed, just loitering on the court.
LaVine and Towns each attacked solo with various unreasonable shots, resulting in stagnation in the Timberwolves’ offense.
This also made other players less enthusiastic on defense.
The temporary players on the Timberwolves had few opportunities, their defensive instincts naturally waning, zoning out.
"Zeng, you played amazingly."
"So cool, the Nuggets’ 7th pick was worth it."
"This guy plays just like Klay."
"He’s practically a Klay clone; the Nuggets made a huge gain."
By the end of the third quarter, the Nuggets led by 20 points, and the game entered garbage time early.
In the fourth quarter, Zeng Xingyang and Jokic sat laughing and chatting on the bench.
Tonight’s game was very enjoyable for both of them.
Jokic needed Zeng Xingyang to finish, and Zeng Xingyang needed Jokic to pass to him; their cooperation was exceptionally harmonious.
Zeng Xingyang sensed the joy of playing with Jokic.
No player would dislike pairing with such a big guy.
On the Timberwolves side, Towns was frustrated, angrily throwing down a towel....
In the end, the score of the game was 97 to 84, with the Nuggets winning by 13 points.
In this game, Zeng Xingyang played 24 minutes, making 12 out of 17 shots, including 8 of 12 from three-point range, and recorded 32 points, 3 rebounds, and 4 assists.
Zeng Xingyang scored over 30 without a single free throw, even seldom touching the ball; most were open shots passed by his teammates, achieving an exceptionally high shooting efficiency.
Zeng Xingyang’s shooting rhythm appeared too comfortable.
Zeng Xingyang could shoot so comfortably due to Jokic’s various crafty playmaking on the court.
Jokic played 22 minutes, tallying a standard triple-double with 10 points, 10 assists, and 10 rebounds.
In many plays, the two on the court performed duet-like cooperation, with Zeng Xingyang needing open shooting opportunities, and Jokic’s massive body providing perfect screen play for Zeng Xingyang.
Currently, Zeng Xingyang’s ball-handling and Jokic’s independent offense aren’t very strong yet.
Otherwise, their cooperation would have been even more indefensible. However, as far as tonight is concerned, that cooperation sufficed.
Only with this one game, Zeng Xingyang and Jokic earned the respect of the other Nuggets players who were initially unconvinced.
Strong players earn respect wherever they go.
On the Timberwolves, Wiggins scored 18 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists; Towns scored 12 points and 10 rebounds; LaVine scored 11 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists; Jones had 6 points and 4 assists.
The scoring on the Timberwolves’ side was relatively even, with no player reaching over 20 points.
Though it was a summer league game, many journalists attended.
As soon as the game ended, a group of reporters rushed to interview Zeng Xingyang.
"Zeng, how does it feel to score over 30 in a summer league game?"
"Honestly, it doesn’t feel like much; it’s just like the NCAA."
"What’s your assessment of Karl-Anthony Towns?"
"Haha, this guy has gotten fatter than in college; I guess his training intensity decreased."
"What’s your evaluation of teammate Nikola Jokic?"
"I feel he could become MVP, haha. Playing with him is so comfortable."
Jokic, who was nearby, was also asked about his thoughts on Zeng Xingyang’s performance.
Upon hearing the question, Jokic scratched his head and then said, "Zeng plays very smart and is a reliable shooter."
Jokic wasn’t fond of facing the camera; he dealt with a few questions before heading back to the locker room.
For Jokic, the game ending meant the equivalent of clocking out.
Tonight’s game wasn’t tiring for Jokic; he saw the match more as clocking out from work.
For Jokic, tonight’s game was no different than usual.
For Jokic, it was just another day at the office.
The fact that tonight’s match was a highlight for Jokic came as no surprise to him.
Even though it was a summer league game, many journalists were present.
As soon as the game ended, a group of reporters rushed to interview Zeng Xingyang.
The impact of the game was overshadowed by Zeng Xingyang and Jokic, even though it was supposed to be Towns’ debut.
Numerous media outlets began to praise the Nuggets’ two newcomers, Zeng Xingyang and Jokic.
Miami Sentinel — "Zeng Xingyang was the highest-scoring player in all of today’s summer league games; he is the highest scorer of the day. He is the top scorer in today’s summer league games. In the end, this debut was outshone by Zeng Xingyang and Jokic.
And these two will be a new highlight in the upcoming season for the Nuggets. Although it was a summer league, they showed a perfect fit, unlike the Timberwolves. The Timberwolves may have more talent, but every player wants to go solo with no tactical system on the court, so it’s only natural that the Nuggets won."
Mike Malone watched a video of the game that night, in which Zeng Xingyang and Jokic performed better than he expected.