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Bol Bol steals show as Nuggets defeat Wizards in first scrimmage

By Evan Siegel

DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 30: Bol Bol #10 of the Denver Nuggets poses for a portrait during the Denver Nuggets Media Day at Pepsi Center on September 30, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - SEPTEMBER 30: Bol Bol #10 of the Denver Nuggets poses for a portrait during the Denver Nuggets Media Day at Pepsi Center on September 30, 2019 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Justin Tafoya/Getty Images) /
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In the first glimpse of NBA basketball in months, Bol Bol and the Denver Nuggets defeated the Washington Wizards 89-82 in Orlando.

Without fans and with players and coaches separated on the bench, the Denver Nuggets rode their sudden star from Sudan to victory. Bol Bol finished with 16 points, ten rebounds, and six blocks against a bewildered Washington defense.

Troy Daniels joined the party and contributed a team-high 22 points on 7-15 shooting including four made three pointers. Nikola Jokic, fresh off of his recovery from the coronavirus, scored 16 points of his own and gobbled up seven rebounds. He also dished out seven assists in what was nearly a triple double for a player who showed no signs of rust whatsoever.

In a makeshift atmosphere without any fans in the stands and an extremely quiet environment that led to viewers on television hearing the bounce of the ball and squeaking of the sneakers, the Nuggets fended off a strong showing from rookie Rui Hachimura, who poured in 18 points to keep the Wizards in the game.

The Nuggets shot an unremarkable 44 percent from the field, but held the Wizards to only a little over 36 percent. Bol’s performance grabbed the attention of the entire NBA community not just for what he accomplished on the court itself, but after, as he was selected for a “random” drug test by the NBA. Michael Malone said of Bol, “It’s his first game against NBA competition, and for him to go out there and get 16, 10 with six blocks is great.”

The Nuggets also grabbed some headlines before the game for bringing a bizarre lineup to the floor that didn’t feature a single player under 6”7. The team’s starting lineup was Jokic, Paul Millsap, Bol, Mason Plumlee, and Jerami Grant. That’s right, Jokic was listed as the team’s starting point guard going into the game.

Next. Nuggets should give this player a look in free agency. dark

Whatever Malone and his staff were thinking, it worked, as Bol dominated the Wizards and the Nuggets grabbed their first win of the scrimmage season. The Nuggets will next scrimmage against the New Orleans Pelicans on Saturday night.

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