2021-22 NBA Preseason: Top performers, biggest storylines, highlights, scores from Day 6

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Kane Pitman
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• 5 min read
LeBron James and Russell Westbrook made their preseason debut against the Golden State Warriors

Day 6 of the NBA preseason was headlined by the season debut of LeBron James and Russell Westbrook making his first appearance in the purple and gold.

The Bulls kept up their hot play, a Sixth Man of the Year candidate kept getting buckets and plenty of highlight reel dunks were finished.

If you missed any of the action you can catch up right here!

Notable performers

Malcolm Brogdon (IND): 27 PTS, 5 REB, 3 AST

Jordan Nwora (MIL): 30 PTS, 8 REB, 2 AST

Sandro Mamukelashvili (MIL): 20 PTS, 11 REB, 1 AST

Zach LaVine (CHI): 21 PTS, 3 REB, 3 AST

Max Strus (MIA): 28 PTS, 5 REB, 2 AST

Tyler Herro (MIA): 26 PTS, 2 REB, 3 AST

Keldon Johnson (SAS): 23 PTS, 1 REB, 1 AST

Nah'Shon Hyland (DEN): 21 PTS, 8 REB, 4 AST

Stephen Curry (GSW): 30 PTS, 3 REB, 5 STL

Jordan Poole (GSW): 28 PTS, 3 REB, 2 STL

Dwight Howard (LAL): 23 PTS, 12 REB

Biggest storylines

The Bulls are rolling in preseason

The new-look Chicago Bulls are not here to mess around. They backed up a 36-point win over the Cleveland Cavaliers by destroying the New Orleans Pelicans by the same margin.

Using the preseason to build chemistry, all of DeMar DeRozan, Nikola Vucevic, Zach LaVine and Lonzo Ball logged over 25 minutes against the Pelicans who are still without Zion Williamson.

The early play of Ball was highlighted by head coach Billy Donovan, who praised the guard's improvement in his outside shot.

"The one thing I would say, he's a great guy, he's a tremendous worker," said Donovan. "He knows how to play the game, he has a very high basketball IQ. I think it's impressive what he's done early in his career. It's a testament to the work he's put in. There's no question he's a really, really good worker."

Ball finished with 19 points on 5-for-6 shooting from long range.

Herro continues hot streak

Tyler Herro keeps getting buckets.

The Miami Heat guard delivered his latest impressive preseason performance, dropping 26 points in Miami's 109-105 win over the San Antonio Spurs.

Miami were without Jimmy Butler, Kyle Lowry, Bam Adebayo and P.J. Tucker in this one, with Herro moving into the starting lineup.

One of the favourites to win Sixth Man of the Year, Herro's night backed up performances on 26 points against Atlanta and 24 against Houston.

Miami are now 3-0 in the preseason.

OT in the preseason!

The Timberwolves spoiled a big night for Denver Nuggets rookie, Bones Hyland. 

Selected with the No. 26 pick in the Draft, Hyland poured in 18 points in the third quarter alone.

Not yet done, he then stepped into a go-ahead three with 9.7 seconds left to send the home crowd crazy. 

Minnesota tied the game up to send it to an extra period where they picked up the win but it's easy to see that Hyland will quickly become a fan favourite in Denver.

LeBron and Russ make preseason debut

Lakers head coach Frank Vogel opted to ease LeBron James and Russell Westbrook into preseason basketball.

James finished with nine points and three rebounds in 17 minutes, while Westbrook had two points and seven rebounds in his alotted 17 minutes.

Both superstars sat out the second half as  the Warriors pulled out the 121-114 win.

Steph Curry dropped 30 points for Golden State, while Jordan Poole continued his impressive preseason with 28 points of his own.

Top Highlights

Sandro Mamukelashvili with the huge poster!

KD dribbling the ball off his head before delivering the dime?

QB Jokic is back.

Alley-oop poster jam for Hartenstein.

New season, same Anthony Edwards!

Denver rookie Bones Hyland goes off for 18 points in the third quarter!

Final scores

Indiana Pacers 109, Cleveland Cavaliers 100

Milwaukee Bucks 115, Brooklyn Nets 119

New Orleans Pelicans 85, Chicago Bulls 121

Miami Heat 109, San Antonio Spurs 105

LA Clippers 114, Dallas Mavericks 122

Minnesota Timberwolves 114, Denver Nuggets 112 (OT)

Los Angeles Lakers 114, Golden State Warriors 121

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Kane Pitman