NBA Preseason Day 9: OKC Big 3 clinch close game; Lakers win without Lonzo Ball; Cavs lose again

Melbourne United 85-86 Oklahoma City Thunder

The Oklahoma City Thunder are stocked with superstars in Russell Westbrook, Paul George, and Carmelo Anthony but the team had an unlikely hero on Sunday night. Playing against Melbourne United of the NBL (Australia), the Thunder two clutch blocks from Josh Huestis to clinch the game.

While the Thunder needed some defensive heroics from a relatively unknown player, the offense came from the known threats in George and Anthony.

Oklahoma City is 2-1 through their three preseason games and is slated for their last one against the Nuggets a couple of days later at home.

Sacramento Kings 69-75 Los Angeles Lakers

Los Angeles Lakers vs Sacramento Kings faced off in Las Vegas

After three consecutive losses to open their preseason, the Lakers registered their first win after defeating the Sacramento Kings in Las Vegas. Without Lonzo Ball, who's nursing an ankle sprain, the team rallied behind Julius Randle - 17 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals in 28 minutes. In his limited minutes, the Lakers' steal in the Draft Kyle Kuzma showed up again with 15 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists in 28 minutes on 50% shooting.

For the Kings, their veteran offseason pickup Zach Randolph was their biggest contributor, putting up 16 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists. With the season starting on the 17th, both teams still have quite a lot of preseason left ahead.

Sacramento has three more games left with the next one against the Portland Trail Blazers on Oct. 10 (Oct. 11 IST). The Lakers play their next one, their penultimate game, on Oct. 10 as well against the Utah Jazz.

Cleveland Cavaliers 94-102 Washington Wizards

Jeff Green's posterizing dunk

The stars for the Cavaliers - LeBron James, Derrick Rose, Dwyane Wade, Kevin Love - didn't even play a minute. This was a game for the team's second unit to come out and show themselves and Jeff Green took this opportunity with both hands. He scored a game-high 19 points but this is why he made the headlines:

The Wizards' starters played warm-up minutes and then sat out for the rest of the game.

Both teams have a couple more preseason games left before tipping off the season. Cleveland, having lost all their three games so far, plays the Chicago Bulls next a couple of days later while Washington, who are unbeaten so far, will travel to Miami to play the Heat.

New Orleans Pelicans 108-95 Chicago Bulls

Robin Lopez (CHI): 13 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds

New York Knicks 83-117 Brooklyn Nets

D'Angelo Russell (BKN): 16 points, 7 assists, 3 rebounds

Willy Hernangomez (NYK): 17 points, 12 rebounds, 2 assists

Portland Trail Blazers 134-106 LA Clippers

Damian Lillard (POR): 35 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists

Blake Griffin (LAC): 15 points, 6 assists, 4 rebounds

Denver Nuggets 100-122 San Antonio Spurs

LaMarcus Aldridge (SAS): 21 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists

Nikola Jokic (DEN): 19 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists