Explore the NBA preseason debuts of Karl-Anthony Towns, Paul George, Chris Paul, and Klay Thompson as they transition to new teams.
The NBA preseason is in full swing, and basketball fans are finally getting their first look at some of the league’s most notable stars donning new jerseys. Karl-Anthony Towns, Paul George, Chris Paul, and Klay Thompson have all made their highly anticipated preseason debuts with their new teams. The high power preseason has set the stage for an exhilarating regular season to come.
Karl-Anthony Towns made his preseason debut with the New York Knicks on October 7, contributing 10 points and four rebounds in 15 minutes during a close 111-109 win over the Charlotte Hornets. Although Towns’ shooting was rusty, hitting only 2-for-7 from the field and missing four of five three-point attempts, he showcased his range with an early 27-foot three-pointer on his second shot of the night.
Acquired from the Minnesota Timberwolves this offseason, Towns brings much-needed versatility to New York’s offense. Known for his ability to stretch defenses with perimeter shooting or attack the paint with finesse, the four-time NBA All-Star is a defensive challenge.
Towns’ presence also complements Jalen Brunson, creating an exciting duo that opens up New York’s offense.
Paul George showcased his scoring ability in his preseason debut with the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday night, leading the team with 23 points in a 121-111 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Playing 26 minutes, George shot an efficient 8-for-15 from the field, including four three-pointers, while also contributing six rebounds and two assists.
The 76ers signed George to a four-year, $212 million contract this summer, making him a pivotal addition to their roster. Philadelphia marks George’s fourth NBA team, following a career that began with seven years in Indiana, two seasons with Oklahoma City, and five years with the Los Angeles Clippers.
A nine-time All-Star and six-time All-NBA selection, George has averaged 20.8 points over his 14-season career. Known for his scoring versatility and perimeter defense, George’s arrival provides Philadelphia with veteran experience and a reliable scoring option.
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Chris Paul, a 12-time All-Star entering his 20th NBA season, made his preseason debut for the San Antonio Spurs on Wednesday night. Paul logged 23 minutes, posting five points and three assists, two of which went to Victor Wembanyama.
In a fitting start, Paul’s first assist in his new Spurs uniform was a well-timed alley-oop to Wembanyama, who completed it with a dunk late in the first quarter. The connection between Paul and the talented 7-foot-4 rookie could be a dynamic aspect of San Antonio’s offense this season.
The Spurs are Paul’s seventh NBA team, and upon his regular-season debut, the 6-foot guard will become the 11th player in league history to play 20 NBA seasons. Paul’s wealth of experience and playmaking skills are expected to add veteran leadership to a young Spurs roster, complementing Wembanyama’s development as a rising star in the league.
Klay Thompson made his preseason debut for the Dallas Mavericks on Thursday night, scoring 10 points in an 18-minute appearance during a 107-102 loss to the Utah Jazz. Thompson shot 3-of-9 from the field, with all three made baskets coming from beyond the arc, hitting 3-of-5 on three-pointers.
This marked Thompson’s first game in an NBA uniform other than Golden State’s, where he spent 11 seasons and was instrumental in securing four NBA championships for the Warriors. He missed two seasons due to injuries (2019-20 and 2020-21) but remained a cornerstone in the team’s success.
Thompson enters this season ranked sixth in NBA history with 2,481 career three-pointers. His three triples in his Dallas debut suggest he’ll continue to bring his reliable perimeter shooting to his new team, adding firepower to the Mavericks’ offense.
These debuts were just a few of several notable first appearances this preseason. Russell Westbrook made his Denver Nuggets debut in Abu Dhabi last week, while DeMar DeRozan took the floor with the Sacramento Kings for the first time on Wednesday, facing off against Golden State.
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