Brandon Boston Jr. starts as Clippers beat Nuggets in preseason opener

LOS ANGELES — The Clippers’ preseason-opening 103-102 triumph implicit the Denver Nuggets, a Monday nighttime accumulation without Paul George oregon Nikola Jokic, wasn’t precisely consequential, nor was it wholly escaped of suspense, coming down to the last fewer possessions (after the Clippers rallied from a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit, the Nuggets’ Markus Howard missed a 27-footer with clip moving out).

But it volition decidedly beryllium memorable for Brandon Boston Jr.

Tyronn Lue gave the 19-year-old rookie the commencement Monday successful his archetypal NBA preseason action. And erstwhile the manager gave the quality to the gangly defender who played astatine Chatsworth’s Sierra Canyon High School, Boston didn’t miss a beat, Lue said.

“He turned his jersey implicit truthful fast,” Lue said, with a chuckle. “He couldn’t wait.”

The 51st wide prime successful this year’s NBA Draft retired of Kentucky, Boston – who confidently describes himself arsenic “a bucket” – proved helium tin people successful Summer League, wherever helium averaged 13 points successful 24 minutes connected 44.1% shooting.

What Lue wanted to spot successful summation to that earthy scoring knack – connected which Boston delivered, with 10 points connected 3-for-7 shooting – was defence and question without the basketball.

“It’ll beryllium his archetypal game, we cognize he’s gonna beryllium excited, he’s gonna marque immoderate mistakes, and that’s OK,” Lue said. “As agelong arsenic helium plays hard, competes, we’ll unrecorded with the results.”

And truthful the acquisition of Brandon Boston included 5 fouls successful his 20 minutes.

With Kawhi Leonard, Serge Ibaka, Nicolas Batum and Marcus Morris Sr. successful thoroughfare apparel and sandwiched by their teammates connected the seat to observe, Boston was called for 4 of his fouls successful 9 minutes earlier halftime, but helium avoided fouling retired and was tagged for conscionable 1 much foul successful his 11 second-half minutes.

Fellow rookies Keon Johnson (non-COVID illness) and Jason Preston (foot) were retired Monday, but different caller look turned immoderate heads among the 7,825 fans astatine Staples Center.

George King came disconnected the seat successful the 2nd 4th and scored a team-high 12 points successful 12 minutes. The 6-foot-6 tiny guardant who appeared successful 1 crippled with the Phoenix Suns successful 2018-19 and is connected an Exhibit 10 woody with the Clippers, went 4 for 5 from the level and 3 for 4 from 3-point scope successful an accumulation successful which the Clippers changeable 43.2% (38-88) arsenic a team, 8 for 24 (33.3%) from 3-point scope and committed 21 turnovers.

It’s worthy noting: Reggie Jackson inactive is sizzling. The defender picked up wherever helium near disconnected successful the playoffs with 9 points successful 7 minutes to commencement the game.

CENTERPIECES

Lue said Ibaka was cleared for interaction Monday, a important measurement successful the seasoned center’s betterment pursuing backmost country successful June.

“He’s doing good,” Lue said. “We’re gonna easiness him successful arsenic dilatory arsenic imaginable and marque definite he’s steadfast and that’s a bully motion for us. Hopefully, he’s capable to get backmost connected way (get connected the floor) and instrumentality immoderate contact.”

In the meantime, the run for the Clippers’ 15th and last roster spot betwixt large men Isaiah Hartenstein and Harry Giles continued to play out.

Giles led the squad with 12 rebounds to spell with 8 points connected 3-for-7 shooting.

Hartenstein finished with six points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists connected 3-for-5 shooting.

REMEMBERING ASSANE DRAME

Before tip-off Monday, the Clippers held a infinitesimal of soundlessness for Assane Drame, the 26-year-old squad video adjunct who was killed successful a car clang past week.

Before helium asked for quiet, Eric Smith, the Clippers’ nationalist code announcer, shared a remembrance: “He was a dedicated employee, a talented videographer and a loyal friend.”

His colleagues besides wore his initials connected their photograph vests successful his honor.

More to travel connected this story.