Hield and Ayton Light Up the NBA

Bahamian NBA Stars Shined on Friday Night

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Bahamian NBA players Buddy Hield of the Indiana Pacers and Deandre Ayton of the Phoenix Suns showed out on Friday night in NBA action while up-and-comer Kai Jones of the Charlotte Hornets continues to make highlight-reel plays. 

Hield powered his Indiana Pacers to a 121-111 win against the Washington Wizards. Hield led the way for Indiana with a season-high 28 points on a hyper-efficient 12-19 shooting night while chipping in 2 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 steals. 

Buddy Hield balled out tonight.

28 PTS (season-high)
4 AST
3 STL pic.twitter.com/Rs7N82k9q9

— Indiana Pacers (@Pacers) December 10, 2022

Buddy had a torrid start to the game, making 8 of 9 shots in the first half including 3 of 4 three-pointers. Guard Tyrese Halliburton contributed to the win with 23 points and 11 assists. Kristaps Porzingis of the Wizards scored 29. 

Deandre Ayton also led his team in scoring, albeit in a 128-117 loss to the surging New Orleans Pelicans. The Nassau native scored 25 points and grabbed 14 rebounds on 11 of 15 shooting. 

DA with the slam 😤 pic.twitter.com/3kVpvsgrGT

— Phoenix Suns (@Suns) December 10, 2022

Future hall-of-fame point guard Chris Paul added 24 points, 8 rebounds and 7 assists while the Pels held scoring guard Devin Booker to 14 points on a debilitating 5 of 17 shooting night. 

Sophomore forward Kai Jones continues to make an impact in limited time for the floundering Charlotte Hornets. In 20 minutes of play, the big man scored 4 points, grabbed 4 rebounds, recorded a steal and swatted two shots. Kai’s points came on only 2-4 shooting, one of those makes came in the form of an utterly absurd dunk.

HELLO, KAI JONES pic.twitter.com/2xcDE81RpO

— Nekias (Nuh-KY-us) Duncan (@NekiasNBA) December 10, 2022

With the rapid decline of the Hornets, who have fallen to the bottom of the eastern conference with a 7-19 record, a golden opportunity for playing time is presented for Kai. He should be starting in no time if he keeps flashing his ridiculous athleticism.