Mitchell, Bogdanovic Make Debuts For Cavaliers, Pistons

SALT LAKE CITY – Former Utah Jazz starters Donovan Mitchell, Bojan Bogdanovic, and Royce O’Neale made their preseason debuts for the Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, and Brooklyn Nets this week.

Mitchell played his first NBA game in a non-Jazz uniform on Wednesday night as the Cavaliers opened the preseason in Philadelphia against the 76ers.

Bogdanovic, meanwhile, began his Pistons career on Tuesday in New York against the Knicks.

Mitchell Begins Cavaliers Career

Mitchell got off to a hot start with the Cavaliers in his debut scoring 16 points and handing out five assists, both team highs in just 19 minutes.

The All-Star guard started the game alongside Darius Garland, Caris LeVert, Kevin Love, and Jarrett Allen.

Promising young forward Evan Mobley missed the game with a sprained ankle that could keep him out through the entirety of the preseason.

Mitchell showed off his strong shooting touch by knocking down 6-9 field goal attempts including 3-4 from the three-point line.

The guard’s best play came on a no-look dish to Cavaliers teammate Isaac Okoro who finished the basket at the rim and drew a foul.

No look, no problem. 😴

Donovan Mitchell is balling in his first game as a Cleveland Cavalier.

(watch it live now on NBA TV) pic.twitter.com/YZywDAv1X9

— NBA (@NBA) October 5, 2022

 

Mitchell only played in the first half and rested along with the other Cavaliers starters after halftime.

“A little bit of nerves,” Mitchell said after the 113-112 loss. “I ain’t going to lie.”

The Cavaliers now have five days off until they host a rematch with the 76ers on Monday.

Bogdanovic Shoots Well For Pistons

The Pistons were able to get their first look at forward Bojan Bogdanovic on Tuesday night when they traveled to New York for a nationally televised game against at Madison Square Garden.

Bogdanovic scored 11 points on 3-6 shooting for Detroit while adding four rebounds in 22 minutes.

New guy looking good with the step back👀 @44Bojan pic.twitter.com/5JQZvCifuQ

— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) October 4, 2022

The Pistons were blown out by the Knicks 117-96 and were outscored by 23 with Bogdanovic on the floor.

Detroit was one of the worst three-point shooting teams in the league last season and brought Bogdanovic in to help space the floor.

All three of the former Jazzman’s makes from the field were behind the three-point line.

Detroit retakes the floor on Friday in New Orleans against the Pelicans.

Gobert Sits Game One

Minnesota Timberwolves fans will have to wait another night to see Rudy Gobert make his debut.

The three-time Defensive Player of the Year sat out the Timberwolves game one on Tuesday night in Miami.

Gobert will have a chance to make his debut on national TV on Thursday night when the Timberwolves travel to face the Lakers on ESPN.

Fellow Minnesota frontcourt star Karl-Anthony Towns also missed the Timberwolves preseason opener as he has been battling a non-covid illness throughout training camp.

O’Neale Comes Off Bench For Nets

Royce O’Neale also made his first NBA appearance in a non-Jazz uniform against the 76ers as a member of the Brooklyn Nets.

O’Neale knocked down 3-5 field goal attempts including 2-4 from the three-point line while adding three free throws for a total of 11 points.

Royce O’Neale running a pick and roll is not something I expected to see.

He’s gonna add a HEAP to this Nets squad. pic.twitter.com/ZUi1wiRTXn

— Jac Manuell (@JacManuell) October 5, 2022

The forward also grabbed two rebounds in 17 minutes as the Nets fell to Philly 127-108 on Monday night.

Brooklyn is back in action on Thursday against the Heat on ESPN.

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