MILWAUKEE — — Rookie David Roddy scored 18 points, two-way signee Kenny Lofton Jr. added 17 and the Memphis Grizzlies used a late run to beat the Milwaukee Bucks 107-102 on Saturday night in the season opener. pre-season for both teams.
Many star players from both teams did not play. Milwaukee All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo, forward Khris Middleton and guard Joe Ingles, who came from Utah in a late-season trade after being injured, were among those undressed. Even Milwaukee coach Mike Budenholzer was absent, still recovering from ankle surgery in the offseason.
Leading scorer Ja Morant, backup Tyus Jones, center Steven Adams and starting goaltender Desmond Bane were among the Grizzlies who sat out.
Fellow Memphis rookie Jake LaRavia scored 15 points, while Santi Aldama scored 13. Ziaire Williams and rookie point guard Kennedy Chandler added 11 points apiece, with Chandler dispensing eight assists.
Jordan Nwora scored 21 points, while Grayson Allen and Sandro Mamukelashvili, on a two-way contract with Milwaukee, each finished with 15.
It was the first appearance for both sides after successful 2021-22 campaigns. The Bucks finished 51-31, good for third place in the Eastern Conference, while Memphis had the second-best record in the NBA at 56-26.
Both teams were eliminated in the second round of the playoffs by the eventual conference champions – Golden State in the west and Boston in the east.
EXTENDED ADAMS
Earlier Saturday, the Grizzlies announced they had signed center Steven Adams to a multi-year extension. Adams, who joined the Grizzlies prior to last season in a trade from New Orleans, averaged 6.9 points, 10.0 rebounds and 3.4 assists for Memphis.