Boomers star Joe Ingles has made his long-awaited return to NBA action, debuting for the high-flying Milwaukee Bucks in a 128-119 win over the New Orleans Pelicans.
It was a predictably low-key outing for the 35-year-old Australian, working his way back after more than 10 months out while rehabbing a knee reconstruction, but it will gladden the hearts of Australian basketball fans.
Limited to 15 minutes on court, Ingles provided an assist and a rebound while going scoreless from four 3-point attempts.
It was his first game since suffering a torn ACL in a match against Minnesota on January 30 while still with the Utah Jazz, where he played 590 games over eight seasons and became a team cornerstone.
Having arrived at the Bucks in the off-season on a one-year deal, he is expected to continue to be eased back for the eastern conference leaders who have depth.
Superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo had 42 points and 10 rebounds for the Bucks (21-8) while centre Brook Lopez added 30 points.
Jonas Valanciunas scored a season-high 37 points and grabbed 18 rebounds for the Pelicans (18-11), while highly-rated Australian rookie Dyson Daniels had three points and an assist in 12 court minutes.
Jrue Holiday frustrated former teammate Zion Williamson, helping limit the Pelicans powerhouse to 18 points.
In Oklahoma City, Australian star Josh Giddey missed a second straight game with a non-COVID illness as his backcourt partner Shai Gilgeous-Alexander lit up a thrilling 123-121 win over the Portland Trailblazers.
Gilgeous-Alexander capped a 35-point performance by nailing a baseline jumper as time expired to secure victory.
Damian Lillard passed Clyde Dexler (18,040 points) to become Portland’s all-time leading points scorer as he bagged 28 points.
In Phoenix, Chris Paul scored a season-high 28 points, Deandre Ayton added 21 points and 11 rebounds and the Phoenix Suns rolled past the Los Angeles Lakers 130-104.
The Lakers were missing their All-Star trio of LeBron James (left ankle soreness), Anthony Davis (right foot soreness) and Russell Westbrook (left foot soreness) while the Suns were without Devin Booker.
In Minneapolis, Anthony Edwards had 27 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists to lead the Minnesota Timberwolves to a 116-106 victory over the unglued Dallas Mavericks, who lost star Luca Doncic and coach Jason Kidd to successive ejections late in the third quarter.
In Cleveland, Donovan Mitchell played against his former team Utah Jazz for the first time, scoring 23 points as he led the Cavaliers to a 122-99 win.
In other results, Atlanta downed Orlando 126-125, Philadelphia beat Toronto 104-101 in overtime and San Antonio defeated Houston 124-105.
with The AP